Pasteur Institute gets ready for COVID tests

SHILLONG: Equipment for COVID-19 testing have arrived at the Pasteur Institute, Shillong although the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is yet to accord its approval to the institute as a testing centre.
Speaking to The Shillong Times on Thursday, Director of Health Services (DHS) (Research) in-charge of Pasteur Institute, Dr N Wanswett, said the ICMR has already initiated the process to make the institute a testing centre.
She said machines for the testing are available, but the institute is yet to get a lab technician who will subsequently be appointed by the government.
The state government has floated an advertisement for MBBS doctors/ dental surgeons /AYUSH doctors/ nurses / pharmacist and laboratory technicians for appointment to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before making the testing centre operational, she said the required staff, including doctors, will be sent for training in NEIGRIHMS.
She said she is hopeful of the ICMR giving the go-ahead to the institute.
Tura Civil Hospital has already received the approval and is set to become operational while Nazareth Hospital is awaiting ICMR nod.