Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Jan 12: As the Omicron cases make their presence felt in J&K, the Government is all set to establish 2 Genome Sequencing Labs (GSL) within the next month, one each in Srinagar and Jammu even as the entire process is stated to be in the advanced stage.
Excelsior has learned from top officials that for the setting up of the GSL in J&K, the tenders have already been issued and the entire process is in the advanced stage and there is every possibility of J&K having its Genome Sequencing Machines in the next month.
Earlier, J&K reported several Omicron cases whose samples were sent outside J&K for genome sequencing while the results of which were received after considerable. It is to be noted here that by the time the health officials had the results of the sequencing, two of the patients had already recovered.
As per the officials, the two GSLs will be established one each at GMC Srinagar, Jammu which will pave the way for the timely and effective genome sequencing of the samples to determine the presence of variants from J&K.
One of the officials who are in the know-how of the sample collection for the genomic sequencing told Excelsior that they are sending more samples for the genome sequencing now to two designated labs in the country.
He also said that with the increase in the number of samples received from across the country there has been a bit of delay in the results of the samples sent there lately.
“However, for the last some time, there has not been so much of delay and the results are available within a set time,” the official said.
On the other hand, the experts including those who have remained at the forefront in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in Kashmir also impressed on the need for having GSLs in J&K.
“It is needed because the result of samples sent out for sequencing takes time and if we have one such dedicated lab here, that would do more good, even though, it doesn’t have any impact on the treatment which remains the same,” Dr Naveed Nazir heads the Head Chest Medicine of GMC, Srinagar said.
Dr Muhammad Salim Khan who heads the Community Medicine Department of GMC Srinagar said that the present scenario is that the Omicron variant is everywhere and seems to be replacing the Delta while stating that the GSL is not a very important lab and is rather related more to the genetic level research.
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