NAT-PCR in Blood Transfusion Services in RIMS- Director A Santa

IT News
Imphal, 7 Jan:
Director of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Prof A Santa inaugurated yesterday NAT – PCR (Nucleic acid amplification test- Polymerase chain reaction) in the Department of Transfusion Medicine,
RIMS, Imphal.
Prof A Santa said “ This is a milestone in the field of blood transfusion services in Manipur, being the first govt. medical institute in eastern India to have this facility. The advantages of NAT are early detection of viral particles (HIV, HBV and HCV) by amplification of viral nucleic acids (DNA or RNA) even at low levels of viral particles. This will significantly narrow down the window period (period of entry of organism to the detection in the laboratory). “
Santa further said “ HIV may be detected in 4-5 days whereas it may take more than 3 weeks by conventional methods; HCV may also be detected 3-4 days which may take more than 8 weeks by other methods, etc. This is the best method at present globally for screening of blood for early detection of viral markers. Moreover, this is more sensitive and specific than currently available conventional methods, besides detection of occult cases and false negatives. This will provide an additional layer of safety to the patients/blood recipients.”
The Director further stated that a new four storey building block for Blood Transfusion Department has