S Pangnyu Phom, Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Toshi Wungtung, Advisor, IPR, SCERT, VG and District Task Force i/c; and Haiying, Advisor, Prison, Printing and Stationary with other officials during the inauguration of the BSL-2 lab in Tuensang on August 28. (Morung Photo)
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Morung Express New
Tuensang | August 28
A Bio Safety Level 2 (BSL) Integrated Molecular Diagnostic and Research Laboratory was inaugurated at the District Hospital, Tuensang on August 28 by S Pangnyu Phom, Minister of Health and Family Welfare. Toshi Wungtung, Advisor, IPR, SCERT, VG and District Task Force i/c; and Haiying, Advisor, Prison, Printing and Stationary, Government of Nagaland were also present during the inauguration.
This is the third BSL lab in Nagaland after Kohima and Dimapur districts. Completed in one and half month’s time, Dr Kevichusa Medikhrü, Mission Director, NHM stated that around Rs. 5 crores was spent on the construction of the laboratory, its equipment and consumables. A team of 2 research scientists, 2 lab technicians, a data entry operator and a lab assistant have also been brought.
He further reported that 5 extra rooms have been constructed for other future research purposes. He informed that the establishment is an Integrated Molecular Diagnostic and Research Laboratory, as it will work on several other research purposes besides the immediate concern of COVID-19.
Health Minister, Pangyu Phom congratulated the entire team for the completion of the BSL-2 in Tuensang in spite of many shortcomings.
The Minister stated that setting up the laboratory was not an easy task.
“It required a comprehensive and detailed outline of the scientific framework with prerequisites— manpower, space, and funding in place. One of the important prerequisites is also specifying the need for engineering control to accomplish the desired task within the timeframe. The transportation of materials during lockdown hampered in materializing the work plan as most of the equipment for construction of the lab are manufactured and transported from various cities in the country,” he informed.
“This laboratory will not only cater to Tuensang but also its other neighbouring districts and some parts of Myanmar. I am confident that the people of Tuensang along with the District Hospital and CMO staff will do justice in serving our people.
In this world of uncertainty we are fighting with this new virus of COVID-19 which is highly infectious. With every passing day we are learning new things about this virus,” he stated.
He meanwhile stated that India is doing “relatively better” in containing the virus. One of the strategies to combat the virus is by increasing the testing capacity. “A BSL-2 laboratory is meant not only for the diagnosis of COVID-19, it can be used to diagnose other diseases such as TB, HIV etc which has a high incidence in this region like Eastern Nagaland.
So, with the facilities given to you I believe you can do the viral load of the various diseases instead of sending them outside the state,” the Minister stated.
“We have among the best man power and international standard equipment. Therefore, it is up to you to make the best use of the facilities and we all must own the responsibilities of the property. We should own the responsibilities of ownership,” he added.
Haiying, Advisor for Prison, Printing and Stationary, while lauding the joint effort of all people for the timely completion of the lab stated: “The completion of this project, which is a big day for all of us, proves that the people of Tuensang are also stepping ahead especially in the field of health service.”
He further appreciated the District Task Force, Tuensang in dealing with the COVID-19 situation in the district and handling it meticulously to contain the spreading of the disease.
Toshi Wungtung, Advisor for IPR, SCERT, VG and District Task Force i/c, stated that with the initial news of the COVID-19 virus, he along with the Health Minister had been discussing the issue since December 2019. In February 2020, he informed that they had discussed about setting up of such labs.
“With the little background some of us had, we discussed with the colleagues who have a medical background in the ministry of our government,” he stated. Wuntung said that while “our minister Pangnyu was very keen,” the Health Department was not prepared at that time, as was the case with everybody else.
“Financially in such a juncture, with meagre resources and infrastructure before the COVID–19 issues got activated, the status of health infrastructure in Nagaland, not only in Tuensang, was in nowhere a condition to the category mentioned. So, we were somehow reluctant to talk about it but at the same time we felt the urgency that there must be labs,” he added.
The programme was chaired by Dr I Moatemjen, Chief Medical Officer, Tuensang. He asked the Minister to aid in accommodating the laboratory staff in the hospital premises as is the protocol. A short speech was also delivered by Nungsanglemba, President, Chang Khulei Setshang (CKS). Vote of thanks was delivered by Kumar Ramnikant, DC Tuensang. Earlier, a dedicatory prayer and welcome note was spoken by Rev Achu Chang, Executive Secretary, CBLT and Dr Zathung, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Tuensang respectively.
