PM virtually inaugurates BSL-3, Genome Sequencing lab in GMC Jammu

Jammu, June 20: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Thursday virtually dedicated to the nation advanced health care facilities viz., Bio-Safety Level-3 (BSL-3) and Genome Sequencing Lab; PET CT Scan, High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy etc. costing Rs 24 Cr, at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu.

These advanced health care facilities were part of the multiple development projects in J&K worth more than Rs 500 Cr, encompassing the sectors of road, water supply, health and higher education infrastructure, the Prime Minister inaugurated at a function at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) in Srinagar this evening.

Principal GMC Jammu Dr Ashutosh Gupta, while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said, “These high end medical equipment, costing Rs 24 Cr, inaugurated by the Prime Minister in GMC Jammu will help in carving a new era in the medical field in Jammu region. GMC Jammu feels honoured and takes pride for the same as it’s the only health institution in J&K to get this development bonanza today.”

Giving a brief account of these advanced facilities, Dr Ashutosh said, “One of the most advanced Bio-Safety Level 3 (BSL-3) Lab in GMC Jammu will now be available for high-end clinical diagnostics. The concept of such laboratories started after the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act in 1989 which is based on the principles of biosafety and bio-security. BSL-3 laboratories are designed to work with highly infectious agents or toxins that present a potential for aerosol transmission.”

According to Dr Gupta, BSL-3 labs at GMC Jammu will be used in clinical, diagnostic and research work in bio-contained environments using high-end engineering controls with backup mechanisms in place.

Appreciating, what he said “enabling support of Secretary, H&ME, Dr Sayed Abid Rasheed Shah for fast-track ground execution,”, Dr Ashutosh said, “GMC Jammu has completed much required integration of safe and secure molecular diagnostics in BSL3 facility, genome sequencing on NGS, automated viral load testing and a dedicated isolation ward for infectious disease patients, all in one place at GMC Jammu.”

He stated that these centralised and inter connected facilities at GMC Jammu would go a long way to diagnose and manage future infectious diseases, outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics.

“Similarly, Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography (PET CT) Scan is an imaging test to detect early signs of cancer and other diseases while High Dose Rate (HDR) Brachytherapy is a form of radiation therapy used to destroy cancer cells. These high-end facilities will revolutionise diagnostic and treatment facilities in J&K, particularly in Jammu region,” he said.