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ship/bus inter-state travel) are revised so as to have a uniform protocol for domestic travel across the country.
These guidelines are applicable to all states/UTs so as to facilitate inter-state travel. Based on the evolving scenario of COVID-19, including evidence of mutant variants within India or outside, the guidelines may warrant a suitable revision to institute appropriate public health measures also.
Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ Guidelinesfordomestictravelflighttrainshipbusinterstatetravel.pdf
SOP for involvement of private sector laboratories for genome
sequencing
The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) established for genomic surveillance in the country was set-up in January 2021 with initial participation of 10 national research laboratories. These laboratories have carried out genome sequencing of 60,000 positive cases from different states of India. Sometime later, 18 more research laboratories were included in the network for enhancing sequencing effort in the country. These 28 laboratories operate on a hub and spoke model where the 10 RGSLs provide handholding for the new laboratories and act as hubs.
A need was felt to further increase sequencing efforts and target sequencing about 80,000 samples in a month to identify variants of concern (VoC) and variants of interest (VoI) in the Indian samples, so as to advice the policy makers for effective management of COVID-19. To enhance the sequencing efforts, involvement of private sectors was considered as one of the options.
Based on the proven expertise and experience of the private sector laboratories it was thought prudent to involve private sector laboratories for genome sequencing of COVID-19 virus. It was also decided to have a standard operating procedure for involvement of private sector laboratories.
Website link:
https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/INSACOG_Approved%20Guidelines%20 for%20Public%20and%20Private%20Labs.pdf
National Health Authority and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi
join hands to scale high-potential health care innovations
Recognising the role of innovations to strengthen India’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and preparedness for emerging health care needs, National Health Authority (NHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). Through this partnership, NHA and IIT Delhi will support innovative solutions to address the needs and priorities of the AB PM-JAY ecosystem. This collaboration will be crucial to support the rapid scaling and absorption of health innovations across more than 23,000 PM-JAY empanelled hospitals. The innovations supported through the SAMRIDH facility will improve the health infrastructure, build the capacity of health care providers, and build effective COVID-19 mitigation 0150 all in the pursuit to achieve ‘health for all’ in India. SAMRIDH’s initiative is addressing the challenges of the pandemic and bringing health care services to
VOL. IV ISSUE 10
VIGYAN PRASAR 11
COVID-19 SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EFFORTS IN INDIA