Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 31: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Ch Lal Singh today informed the Lower House that diagnostic labs for H1N1 influenza commonly known as swine flu will be made functional shortly.
Replying to a calling attention notice by CPM MLA M Y Tarigami in Legislative Assembly, the Minister said the requirement of medicines and protective equipment of all the health institutions was consolidated and an amount of Rs 30 lakh, as additional fund, was released to the Health Department for augmenting stock of medicine and purchase of ventilator for swine flu patients.
While the testing laboratory for HINI is already established at SKIMS, non-availability of testing laboratory at Jammu was resulting in delays in test results as blood samples are being sent to NCDS, New Delhi.
Taking cognizance of these requirements, the State Cabinet sanctioned establishment of two HINI testing laboratories, one each at Chest Disease Hospital Srinagar and Government Medical College Hospital, Jammu. The State Planning Department released the funds to the tune of Rs 6.30 crore and Rs 5.63 crore respectively in favour of Government Medical College, Jammu and Government Medical College, Srinagar. “These diagnostic laboratories will be made functional shortly”, the Minister said.
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