Father Muller Medical College Hospital Laboratory gets ICMR approval for COVID-19 Testing
Mangaluru: In another feather to its cap, the Father Muller Medical College Hospital Laboratory has received ICMR approval for testing SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) disease by RT-PCR method on 19 May 2020.
The Father Muller Medical College was one of the centres which were shortlisted by the mentor centre, NIMHANS, Bengaluru to start RT-PCR Testing for COVID-19, in the wake of the pandemic. This has come as good news to the people of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and the neighbouring districts. FMMCH a unit of the Father Muller Charitable Institutions (FMCI) has been at the forefront of medical technology, and patients care, providing service with dignity and care for all.
Dr Anup Kumar Shetty, Professor in Microbiology department of FMMC, underwent training in NIMHANS, Bengaluru, for this purpose even during the time of lockdown.
The FMMCH laboratory is accredited by NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) since 2012 and already had state of the art facilities for RT-PCR Testing. The lab first participated in NIMHANS proficiency testing and later participated in NABL assessment for adding SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR in the scope of tests before getting final ICMR approval. The laboratory follows National/International standards guidelines, participates in proficiency testing, performs periodic calibrations of equipment, and follows strict safety precautions and biomedical waste management. Well trained team of faculty, staff and data operators have put in their hard work to reach high standards in medical Testing. FMMCH is already NABH accredited, and Medical College is NAAC accredited.
The hospital in the wake of the pandemic has set-up isolation wards with sufficient ventilators and necessary PPE’s for staff. The staff have been briefed on the protocols to be followed as laid down by the central and state government under the supervision of the District authorities. Dr Uday Kumar, Medial Superintendent FMMCH, has been in constant touch with the authorities in the wake of the pandemic and extended the hospitals service to the district.
COVID 19 RT-PCR test will be done only for suspected cases as per ICMR protocol on prescription by physicians with proper documentation using ICMR RT-PCR app. A dedicated KIOSK for sample collection is also available at the hospital for out-patients. Specimens are transported to the lab through proper cold chain and safety protocols.
The Management headed by the President of FMCI, Dr Peter Paul Saldanha the Bishop of Mangalore Diocese, the Director FMCI Fr Richard Aloysius Coelho has guided the institutional growth through their exemplary vision. The Administrator FMMCH Fr Rudolph Ravi D’Sa has been meticulously overseeing the procurement of the laboratory equipment and putting in place the necessary protocols. Administrator FMMC Fr Ajith Menezes has looked into the infrastructure and logistics to develop the lab. The hospital has been at the service of the nation and its people for 140 years and will ever remain to do so, said in a news release by the Liaison Officer Dr Kelvin Peter Pais.