Defence Minister Launches India’s 1st Mobile Virology Laboratory

On the 23rd of April, the Central Government launched India’s first mobile virology lab in Hyderabad.

Defence Minister of India Rajnath Singh launched the laboratory virtually through a video conference. Union Home Minister of Telangana, T. Kishan Reddy also accompanied Mr. Singh during the virtual launch. Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister and Information Technology, Electronics and Communications Minister of Telangana K.T. Rama Rao also was present during the launch.

The launch is a precautionary measure to control the spread of the Novel Coronavirus infection and conduct rapid tests of Coronavirus.

The Bio Safety Level (BSL) - 3 Mobile Virology Lab is set up at the ESI Hospital in Hyderabad, Telangana.

The mobile virology and diagnostic laboratory could carry out the Novel Coronavirus screenings for 1,000 to 2,0000 samples in a day. The laboratory would ease the work of screening of the Coronavirus.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, “What was thought would be possible in six months, the collaborative effort has managed to do so and deliver it within a record 15 days.”

The laboratory was prepared in just 15 days by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and ESIC Medical College, Hyderabad.