COVID-19: Mumbai gets its first genome sequencing lab

August 04, 2021 16:19

Mumbai's first genome sequencing laboratory at civic-run Nair Hospital will offer the city an added advantage in the battle against coronavirus as the new facility can analyse a large number of samples in a short period and also identify mutants, something that will be especially useful in hotspot areas, the hospital said on Wednesday. The lab was inaugurated virtually by Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray.

Another project- Spinraza therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in children was also launched at the T. N. Medical College & BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, one of the premier medical institutes in the city as part of its centenary celebrations.

Speaking after the inauguration, Thackeray said Nair Hospital, which was set up 100 years ago during the Spanish flu pandemic, is preparing to cater to the health of citizens for another century. He hailed the hospital for setting up new facilities without the help of the state government or municipal corporation of Mumbai.

"The hospital was set up 100 years ago with the help of philanthropists and today as well, donors have come forward. This is the tradition," the CM said. Thackeray also said the need of the hour was to make medicines available for conditions like spinal muscular atrophy in India, as the treatment cost runs into crores. Doctors are also trying hard to see that no child dies due to this condition," he added.

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