Sri Vijaya Puram, Jan. 9 An orientation and training programme on the State Level Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (SL-VRDL) under the aegis of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was conducted on Thursday at the District Hospital, Garacharma. The programme was organized to sensitize healthcare personnel on the protocols for early identification, sample collection, and referral of suspected viral infections to the SL-VRDL, ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Sri Vijaya Puram. The initiative is part of ICMR’s efforts to strengthen early detection, surveillance, and laboratory confirmation of viral and zoonotic diseases in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Dr. Aparup Das, Director and Scientist-G, ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre, highlighted that early diagnosis and preventive public health action are critical in reducing disease burden, reiterating the importance of robust surveillance systems and timely laboratory support in disease prevention and control.
Dr. N. Muruganandam, Scientist-E, Principal Investigator and Nodal Officer, VRDL, ICMR– RMRC, delivered a detailed presentation on the VRDL network and its role in public health surveillance. He explained the structure and functioning of the VRDL system, diagnostic services available at the State Level VRDL, and the importance of timely sample collection, complete clinical information, cold chain maintenance, and biosafety compliance. He also highlighted diagnostic turnaround times, early containment of unusual and emerging pathogens, and the role of VRDLs in outbreak investigation, pandemic preparedness, and One Health integration.
Addressing the participants, Dr. M. Joy, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital Garacharma, emphasized the importance of timely diagnosis and proper sample referral in improving patient outcomes and strengthening public health surveillance. He stressed that a strong functional linkage between District Hospital Garacharma and ICMR–RMRC is essential for early diagnosis, rapid reporting, and preventive interventions, particularly in the island setting.
Experts from the Division of Virology, ICMR–Regional Medical Research Centre, provided further insights into the VRDL diagnostic services, coordination between clinical facilities and reference laboratories, and ICMR’s role in supporting states through advanced diagnostics, outbreak investigation, training, and capacity building.
Medical Officers, Nursing Officers, Pharmacists, Public Health Nurses, Laboratory staff, TB Unit staff, Community Health Officers, ANMs, LHVs, and other healthcare personnel from District Hospital Garacharma and PHC Garacharma participated in the programme.
The orientation programme aimed to enhance awareness on VRDL testing services, proper documentation, cold chain maintenance, and biosafety practices, thereby strengthening the public health response mechanism for viral and emerging infectious diseases in the region.