Pune: The Indian Institute of Science, Education and Research (IISER) Pune has become the first educational Institute to start a COVID-19 testing centre at its campus. The testing facility has received all the required permits and opened on Thursday.
With the help of volunteers from within the IISER Pune community including students, staff and faculty members, and led by the Institute Action Committee on COVID-19, IISER Pune’s COVID-19 testing centre has commenced testing activities from today”, said the outreach person of the Institute.
After a review of the facility, workflow, safety guidelines, and SOPs by experts from NIV (National Institute of Virology) and mentor institute AFMC (Armed Forces Medical College), the ICMR (Indian Council for Medical Research) accorded approval for the Centre”, she added.
IISER Pune Director Prof Jayant Udgaonkar said, “realising the need for more COVID-19 testing in Pune; a few faculty members came together to set up a testing facility that meets all in-house as well as ICMR safety and other procedural requirements.
How will the centre work?
During the days leading up to the commencement of the centre and activities, the team arranged for multiple mock drills and volunteer training sessions with help from officials from the NIV. Throat and nasal swab samples are expected to arrive at the centre every day from government hospitals, which will be tested for the presence of the COVID-19 virus using an ICMR approved kit.
Nodal officer for the facility Prof. Anjan Banerjee informed that the IISER Pune Action Committee has considered utmost safety measures and complied with all guidelines as well as directives suggested by the Institute and the bio-safety committee.
“The team discussed the workflow thoroughly with scientists from NIV and NCCS before and during establishing the centre. The team is working on efficient patient data processing to facilitate reporting”, Prof. Banerjee said.
Testing facility testament to the commitment
“Getting the testing facility ready quickly is a testament to their commitment and the effort they as well as supporting staff put in. The advice and help of the NIV and AFMC were invaluable. The testing facility is now being run with volunteers who have been properly trained, and I am sure that it will become one of the more efficient testing facilities in the country”, said Prof.Udgaonkar.
With the setting up of this centre, IISER Pune hopes to contribute to the much-needed expansion of the testing capability in the country for COVID-19.
