Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 24: A one-day capacity-building programme, ‘Strengthening Diagnosis Capacity in Far-Flung Islands: A Refresher Course,’ was held yesterday at ICMR–RMRC, Sri Vijaya Puram. The event was organized by the ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), under the guidance of Dr. Aparup Das, Director, ICMR-RMRC, in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and VRDL–ANIIMS.
Dr. Shahina Mustaqim, Grade I Specialist -Microbiologist-CHS and PI-VRDL, ANIIMS served as a Resource Person for the programme. The programme focused on strengthening diagnostic and referral capacity in remote islands through a hub-and-spoke approach, promoting the rational and efficient utilization of diagnostic facilities available at ICMR-RMRC and VRDL–ANIIMS and facilitating access to these services across the islands.
The programme highlighted the seasonal outbreak of dengue, leptospirosis and malaria, along with the ongoing burden of tuberculosis, including drug-resistant TB, underscoring the importance of timely laboratory diagnosis, effective surveillance and appropriate referral mechanisms. Emphasis was placed on appropriate specimen selection and collection, sample handling, packaging, storage and transportation, as well as effective referral and utilization of available laboratory facilities.