Which institute has developed the first ICMR-approved mobile RT-PCR lab?

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Explanation

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru developed India's first mobile RT-PCR lab for COVID-19 testing that received approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
This mobile laboratory was named the Mobile Infection Testing and Reporting (MITR) lab.
The primary goal of the MITR lab was to enhance testing capacity in remote and underserved areas, providing rapid test results to help manage the pandemic.

Option A: AIIMS is a leading medical institution central to COVID-19 patient care and research, but it did not develop the first mobile RT-PCR laboratory.
Option B: IIT-Guwahati contributed to the COVID-19 response by developing items like viral transport media and disinfection systems, but not the first approved mobile RT-PCR lab.
Option C: IIT-Delhi is renowned for developing 'Corosure,' the world's most affordable RT-PCR based diagnostic kit, but this was a testing kit, not a mobile laboratory.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Innovations in COVID-19 diagnostic infrastructure in India helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Mobile diagnostic labs like MITR are crucial public health tools for rapid response during epidemics, allowing for testing in remote areas and containment zones, thereby breaking the chain of transmission.
Such innovations highlight the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration between scientific institutions and healthcare bodies to strengthen national health security.
What if the question asked about the most affordable RT-PCR kit? The answer would change to IIT-Delhi, which developed the 'Corosure' kit, demonstrating the different types of contributions made by various institutes.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key phrases in the question: 'first', 'ICMR-approved', and 'mobile RT-PCR lab'.
This is a factual recall question related to recent events in India's public health and scientific community.
Consider the specific contributions of each listed institution during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Differentiate between developing a mobile lab (a vehicle with equipment), a diagnostic kit (the chemical test itself), and providing clinical care.
Recall that IISC-Bengaluru was credited with the first mobile lab, while IIT-Delhi was known for the affordable kit. This distinction leads to the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2021 Shift-1st

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.