Sikkim Government to start RTPCR testing labs at two districts of the state

Sikkim Government has decided to install two new RTPCR testing labs at Namchi, South Sikkim and Gyalshing, West Sikkim in collaboration with TATA Medical Diagnosis (TataMD).

Tata Medical and Diagnostics Ltd (TataMD) is a new healthcare venture from the Tata group, which aims to provide leading-edge, patient-centric solutions, with a clear vision to make healthcare accessible and reliable.

Speaking with Sikkim Chronicle Dr. Pemba Bhutia, Director General Health said, “The labs would be set within a week in both the districts”

RTPCR is a test which detects COVID-19 virus in the human body

“ Since setting up of RTPCR labs is costly and expensive, the government decided to collaborate with Tata Medical Diagnosis to set up the labs” added Dr Pemba

As informed by Dr Pemba the labs would be installed in Gyalshing at West district and Namchi at South district.

So far the RTPCR tests were only evaluated at STNM but with installation of these two labs samples can now be tested in the new RTPCR centres.

Following to which, Dr Pemba in addition stated that, “With coming up of new labs the samples need not be brought to Gangtok, and waste on payment modality”