Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 29
In a major development in healthcare infrastructure in Nagaland, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Healthcare Laboratory and Research Centre costing Rs. 656.30 lakhs was formally inaugurated here at the Naga Hospital Authority, Kohima.
Inaugurating the centre, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Kuzholuzo Nienu termed it as a Red Letter Day for the State and the health department for having fulfilled the dream of owning a DBT healthcare laboratory and research centre.
“It is a great feeling to know that you can now get your diagnosis at your doorstep,” the Minister said adding that it will save the economy of the State. “This is the first and only medical research laboratory in the State and since there is no medical college here this facility is very important for us,” he said, further pointing out that much is required to be done in the field of research in the more prevalent and local specific diseases.
The Minister also stated that the setting up of medical college in the State is in the pipeline, adding that the State will have a full-fledged medical college within three to four years.
The Health Minister also mentioned that until recently, diagnostic facilities were provided from a makeshift laboratory with old conventional methods and tools. As such many patients had to go outside the State for their blood samples and tissues had to be sent outside the State for diagnosis.
Expressing his gratitude to the DBT under the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India, for providing the project through which a proper modern diagnostic laboratory, medical research infrastructure has been set up under one roof, he requested the Government of India to continue supporting this centre on a long term basis and upgrade this facility into autonomous Research centre under the banner of DBT.
Under this Centre, Nagaland has the largest share among all North Eastern states. DBT Healthcare Laboratory and Research Centre Principal Investigator Dr. V. Khamo said that it consists of lab space with modern laboratory equipment which includes both basic and research instruments, human resource department and manpower consisting of research scientist, SRF, JRF, lab technician and lab attendant totaling 9 researchers, 3 lab technicians, 3 attendants and one administrator.
She said that research activities on cancer especially NPC, stomach and esophagus have been initiated and they also plan to carry out research activities on cancer, diabetes, genetic related diseases and certain local specific diseases in the future.
The equipment at the Centre are of world class quality purchased and imported directly from the manufacturer after being selected by the technical committee and the tender committee consisting of experts from Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centre, NEHU, IIT Guwahati, Tezpur University, DBT and constituted by the DBT.
She said the construction of the DBT building which consists of six (6) levels was entrusted to Development Authority of Nagaland and designed by Zynorique Consultant. The new building houses a central lab which has been converted into a 24x7 service, the histology, cytology and hematology lab, a library, data centre, classroom, training lab and a lounge. It also consists of a research wing which has 3 wet labs and a dry lab, conference hall, meeting room and 2 guest rooms to accommodate visiting scientists.
Dr. Pawan Sharma, PhD, FNASc, Senior consultant health care North East Region Biotechnology Programme Management Cell (NER-BPMC), DBT New Delhi and Dr. Gaurangi Maitra, Sr. scientist, DBT Nodal Centre for North East, Tezpur University who were instrumental in monitoring the project were also present on the day and deliberated on project prospects.
Earlier, the function was chaired by Bei-u Angami, Additional Secretary Health and Family Welfare while welcome address was delivered by Dr. L. Angami, Managing Director NHAK and vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Vizolie Suokhrie, Medical Superintendent, NHAK.
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