Written by Medical Testing Labs Quality Infrastructure in India
Covid 19 Testing Criteria – Introduction of Rapid Antigen Testing by ICMR
ICMR is the Regulator for monitoring Covid Testing Strategy in the country.
Testing Strategy for Testing masses has undergone many changes in a dynamic manner since the beginning of the pandemic in the country.
ICMR has introduced Accreditation of the Med Testing Labs by NABL, as the eligibility criteria for Labs to conduct Testing .
Accessibility of Testing Labs to communities became the biggest stumbling block. Lots of calls, conversations across the markets asking for testing access. Urban markets stopped responding at some point, as the pressure became too much. Semi urban and rural markets didn’t have any access to testing at all.
Why are the labs not doing testing ?
Why is it that the testing facilities are not accessible to all ?
Who can actually do the Testing ?
Where are Testing Labs ?
The above were the questions asked by many on daily basis.
I have written an article in the News Letter of Andhra Chamber of Commerce about ICMR’s announcement about allowing only Accredited Labs in the country to do testing, the current Quality Infrastructure of Medical Labs in the country which actually determines the eligibility of the labs to qualify for testing. Its this lack of Quality Testing Infrastructure in the country that has restricted Medical Labs to qualify for Covid 19 Testing criteria.
ICMR has recently relaxed the norms to increase accessibility of basic Covid screening Test to all and introduced Rapid Antigen Test (Screening Test) as well to reduce the dependence on RTPCR Testing. This will ensure that screening test is made available to all.
Sharing the article published in Andhra Chamber of Commerce’s News Bulletin here .
Source : https://andhrachamber.com/pub/E-Bulletin_May_2021.pdf
About the Author
Ms Rama Venugopal
Executive Director
Value Added Corporate Services P Ltd
Email – rama@valueadded.in