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JIPMER to set up 24-hour laboratory

Staff Reporter

It will have modern diagnostic equipment One of the most important challenges before the medical community is `to control the spread of infectious diseases'

PONDICHERRY: The Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research will soon establish an advanced 24-hour diagnostic laboratory on its premises here.

The laboratory would have all modern diagnostic equipment, which could support even emergency situations, A.K Das, Medical Superintendent, JIPMER said at the inaugural session of a five-day workshop on `Simple Diagnostic Methods in Infectious Diseases,' organised by the Microbiology department on Tuesday.

Dr. Das said the facilities to be included in the laboratory were being worked out. He said one of the most important challenges before the medical community was to control the spread of infectious diseases. While some of the earlier infectious diseases were being brought under control new forms were emerging.

For proper treatment of infectious diseases correct diagnosis is very important, he said. He raised the spiralling rise in the cost of diagnosis. "In most cases the cost of investigation exceeds the fees of the doctor and hospital expense. This is one area that the medical fraternity has to address," he said. Now the thrust is on `evidence based medicine' and `rational use of antibiotics.' For the application of this method thorough and simple diagnosis is needed, Dr. A.K. Das said. P.K. Das, Director, Vector Control and Research Centre, stressed the need for simple diagnosis even for mild ailments before the treatment begins. However, he said the time taken for laboratory investigation sometimes delays the treatment. "Speedy investigation is must for better results," Dr. P.K. Das said.

The aim of the workshop is to demonstrate through hands on training the various rapid, simple, inexpensive diagnostic techniques suitable for application and adaptation in a low cost laboratory of a developing country like ours, Dr. S.C. Parija, Director, Microbiology Department, said.

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JIPMER to set up 24-hour laboratory

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