Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched three indigenous kits

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad launched three indigenous kits in Hyderabad on 20 February 2014.  These were developed by the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) of Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR).

The technologies include three different kits for

• PCR-based Pathogen Detection Kit for detection of food borne pathogens
• ELISA-based Serum Ferritin Estimation Kit for diagnosing iron deficiency anaemia
• Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Collection Kit for diagnosing Vitamin-A deficiency

PCR-based Pathogen Detection Kit

• Detects deadly bacteria in food and water
• Rapid, sensitive, specific and cost-effective
• Saves time, money and labour considerably

ELISA-based Serum Ferritin Estimation Kit

• Useful in screening iron status in the population and its bio-availability in fortified foods and other pharmaceuticals or nutraceuticals
• A major breakthrough for monitoring iron deficiency anaemia control programmes
• Accurate, cost-effective and convenient as compared to other commercial kits available
• Beneficial for patients who require repeated blood transfusion

Dried Blood Spot (DBS) Collection Kit

• Field-friendly method fir blood sample collection and transportation
• Helpful in screening population in remote areas for sub-clinical vitamin-A deficiency
• Reduces the inconvenience to children
• Proven method for prevention of blindness and several other conditions

These three kits are accurate, cost-effective and user-friendly. These will enable the early detection of nutritional deficiencies and timely intervention.

About ICMR

ICMR is the fulcrum of Department of Health Research (DHR). DHR is a new department under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It encourages the innovations and takes it to the people.

ICMR has launched 4 technologies during the last 6 months

• Indigenous vaccine for Japanese encephalitis
• Indigenous test kit for molecular diagnosis of Thalassemia
• Magnivisualizer, a device for cervical cancer screening
• Glucose monitoring devices and strips for detection of diabetes