ICMR approves 24 private laboratories at Maharashtra, 1st in Nagpur
Nagpur:- Nagpur has finally got its first private Covid-19 research center. The Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR) gave Dhruv Pathology and Molecular Diagnostic Lab in Ramdaspeth a permit on Friday to collect samples and perform Covid-19 tests. The cost of the swab sample processing in private laboratories would be Rs4,500 as per ICMR guidelines.
“We got the endorsement on Friday evening. We are ready to start checking samples from Monday with the set-up and manpower, “said Dr. Shailesh Mundhada, director of Dhruv lab. As per ICMR guidelines, laboratories can check samples from anyone who has a valid doctor’s prescription for the study. But, in Nagpur, the NMC has ordered private laboratories to obtain samples from only those patients admitted to hospitals and recommended by treating doctors for tests.
“If the patient displays Covid-19 signs, the doctors will approach us and our team will gather samples,” Mundhada said.
On Friday ICMR released a list of 105 private laboratories in the country where Covid-19 studies can be carried out. The list includes 24 Maharashtra Laboratories. Apart from Nagpur, there were also approvals for private labs in Thane, Nashik, and Karad. Earlier, 19 Pune and Mumbai based laboratories had approvals.
