A well-prepared and well-equipped laboratory is the first line of defense against COVID-19. Recognizing the urgent need for accurate and safe testing The Indus Hospital’s BSL 3 Laboratory has come forward to host the testing service for the patients coming to any of the Indus Health Network’s healthcare facilities as well as supporting the Government’s requirements.

The Laboratory underwent quick upgrade to test, report, and respond to any suspected cases along with routine disease surveillance. It rapidly expanded its testing capacity by extending the services in three shifts, 24 hours a day to perform 800 tests per day.

The capacity of the Molecular diagnostics was increased in a continued manner. 14 members have been trained for manual extraction of Ribonucleic acid (RNA); automation has been introduced for the extraction of RNA. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment’s capacity has also been increased with the help of Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry. Policies, electronic system for COVID-19 PCR testing, and standard operating procedures have been developed to increase the efficiency of the system and processes have been streamlined to reduce the turnaround time. ER samples are processed on a priority basis, every four hours and the mechanism to transport samples has also been improved. A summary dashboard of the results is available for the laboratory Director to review and monitor round the clock.

The upgraded and efficient system is the result of the heroes – the medical technologists and researchers, working relentlessly to contribute towards COVID-19 initiatives and saving people from deadly diseases. It is safe to assume that this expansion and upgradation would help the Indus Health Network in improving COVID-19 patient care.