Experts stress on lab inspection prior to nod for testing

Experts also stress on an intensified system along with ground inspection for approval by Indian Council of Medical Research.

 As per reports from the State public health laboratory, re-examination of a few samples revealed that the swab test results that were declared negative by private laboratories were actually positive. Meanwhile, many private laboratories have also approached the officials of the State health department to grant authorisation despite inadequate availability of required medical equipment, staff and services.

 A senior official from the State public health laboratory said the approvals given to COVID-19 testing laboratories are done through ICMR and State health department does not review the approval request or the availability of medical services at the laboratory.

 “However, discrepancies in the results of the swab and throat samples have highlighted the need to review the approvals and conduct an onsite inspection of the laboratories before granting the approval to conduct testing,” said the official.

 While it’s the ICMR that approves the private laboratories for COVID-19 testing, State officials associated with the ICMR refused to comment on the same calling the approval process a ‘policy matter’.