Arunachal gets its first COVID-19 testing lab

Itanagar, Apr 30 () Arunachal Pradesh HealthMinister Alo Libang on Thursday inaugurated the state's firstlaboratory at a hospital near hear for conducting COVID-19tests, making it the third state after Assam and Mizoram inthe north-east region to have such facility.

The laboratory was inaugurated at the state-run TomoRiba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIMHS) inNaharlagun, which was designated as a dedicated centre fortreating coronavirus-infected patients.

The new facility can conduct 100-120 COVID-19 testsper day, and now there is no need to send samples to Guwahatior Dibrugarh, the minister said.

A similar laboratory will also be set up at PasighatGeneral Hospital, he said, adding that the government isbuilding infrastructure to set up a temporary healthcarecentre at Midpu, about 20 km from here, for treating COVID-19patients.

Libang said the work for strengthening infrastructureat 10 hospitals across the state has been going on.

The state government led by Chief Minister Pema Khanduare making all the initiatives to improve infrastructure ofthe health sector and leaving no stone unturned to tackle thecoronavirus outbreak, he said.

TRIMHS director Dr Moji Jini said the number of testsin the laboratory can be increased to 200 per day by engagingmore technicians.

Health secretary P Pratibhan applauded the authoritiesof the institute to set up the laboratory in a record time.

The health minister paid tribute to former ChiefMinister Dorjee Khandu on his death anniversary on Thursdayand said the TRIMHS, the only medical college and hospital ofthe state, was the outcome of his personal initiative.

Dorjee Khandu died in a helicopter crash nearLuguthang in Tawang district in 2011. CORBDC BDC