The Intermediate Reference Laboratory at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital has increased its TB sample testing capacity, reducing diagnostic time from weeks to days, benefiting patients from multiple districts.
Coimbatore: The Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL) at Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) has significantly improved its tuberculosis (TB) testing capabilities, leading to faster diagnoses and more efficient treatment for patients.
The lab, established under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) at a cost of Rs 1 crore, has seen a substantial increase in the number of samples tested. In 2022, 4,096 samples were tested, while in the first half of 2023 alone, 3,445 samples have been processed.
Previously, only initial TB diagnosis was possible at CMCH, with samples requiring further testing sent to Chennai. This process often took three to six weeks for results, delaying appropriate treatment. Now, with the fully functional lab at CMCH, results are available in just three to five days.
The enhanced facility benefits TB patients from Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirupur, and Dindigul districts. On average, 600 to 650 samples are tested monthly at the lab. The services are particularly crucial for the 4% to 6% of TB cases that are multi-drug resistant and require advanced culture and sensitivity tests.
An NTEP official highlighted the importance of early detection, stating, "Now, early detection allows for earlier administration of appropriate medications." This improvement is significant, considering Coimbatore district diagnoses between 4,000 and 5,000 tuberculosis cases annually.
The lab's services are provided free of charge to all TB patients and people living with HIV. Even patients undergoing treatment with private practitioners can avail these services at no cost. This is particularly beneficial as similar tests in private laboratories can cost between Rs 8,000 to Rs 11,000.
The establishment of this advanced testing facility at CMCH marks a significant step forward in the region's fight against tuberculosis, ensuring faster diagnoses and more targeted treatment for patients.
The lab, established under the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP) at a cost of Rs 1 crore, has seen a substantial increase in the number of samples tested. In 2022, 4,096 samples were tested, while in the first half of 2023 alone, 3,445 samples have been processed.
Previously, only initial TB diagnosis was possible at CMCH, with samples requiring further testing sent to Chennai. This process often took three to six weeks for results, delaying appropriate treatment. Now, with the fully functional lab at CMCH, results are available in just three to five days.
The enhanced facility benefits TB patients from Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, Tirupur, and Dindigul districts. On average, 600 to 650 samples are tested monthly at the lab. The services are particularly crucial for the 4% to 6% of TB cases that are multi-drug resistant and require advanced culture and sensitivity tests.
An NTEP official highlighted the importance of early detection, stating, "Now, early detection allows for earlier administration of appropriate medications." This improvement is significant, considering Coimbatore district diagnoses between 4,000 and 5,000 tuberculosis cases annually.
The lab's services are provided free of charge to all TB patients and people living with HIV. Even patients undergoing treatment with private practitioners can avail these services at no cost. This is particularly beneficial as similar tests in private laboratories can cost between Rs 8,000 to Rs 11,000.
The establishment of this advanced testing facility at CMCH marks a significant step forward in the region's fight against tuberculosis, ensuring faster diagnoses and more targeted treatment for patients.