Country’s first state level Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL) for treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) patients suffering from tuberculosis (TB) was inaugurated today at State TB Training and Demonstration Centre at civil hospital campus in Ahmedabad. This laboratory has Bio safety level – 3 facilities. It is equipped with negative pressure room. It is the first state level laboratory accredited by TB Reaserch Centre, Chennai and the Government of India.

Speaking on the occasion, state health minister Jaynarayan Vyas said the establishment of laboratory aims to provide international level treatment to the common man at an affordable cost.

The human development index is expected to rise in the state with the introduction of this facility, he said.

Gujarat has got this project thanks to Central Government and Foundation for Innovative Newer Diagnostic (FIND-Geneva).

The state has 225 Multi Drug Resistant (MDR) TB patient at present under DOTS Plus Treatment. MDR TB patient would be identified in one single day through new laboratory set up. Earlier it used to take over four months period.