Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh has launched Mobile COVID-19 testing facility for Northeast, beginning with Mizoram from where the State Chief Minister Pu Zoramthanga joined the launching ceremony online.

The first of its kind Mobile Diagnostic Laboratory (I-LAB) is capable of performing both RT-PCR and ELISA.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, the lab developed with the support from the Department of Biotechnology, Govt of India, is meant to provide COVID-19 testing access to rural and remote parts of North Eastern Region of India.

He said, the unit has bio-safety facility and is capable of performing both RT-PCR and ELISA tests and this facility can also be utilised for testing of other infectious diseases like TB, HIV, and therefore will remain relevant even in post-COVID-19 times.

Dr Jitendra Singh called for linking the I-LAB with tele-consultation facility in accordance with disease profile of the population of the North-Eastern region. He informed that tests like Mammography and Vision-testing can be added with the mobile laboratory and will prove hugely beneficial to the people of the region.

Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary DBT said that Mobile Diagnostic Laboratory (I-LAB) will remain relevant round the year even after COVID-19 for testing of infectious diseases like Tuberculosis, HIV.