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PU VC converts labs for Corona virus test
PU VC converts labs for Corona virus test


LAHORE: (Saturday, March 21, 2020): Punjab University Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad on Saturday has instructed to dedicate PU laboratories having specific standards for the test of Corona virus suspects on emergency basis. He was visiting the laboratories of Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology and Centre for Applied Molecular Biology here on Saturday. Eminent Virologist Dr Muhammad Idrees, CEMB Director Prof Dr Ahmad Ali Shahid, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics Chairperson Prof Dr Anjum Nasim Sabri, Centre for Applied Molecular Biology Incharge Dr Aleena and other researchers were present on the occasion. Keeping in view national emergency and taking measures in advance to cope with any situation, Prof Niaz Ahmad directed the officials concerned to shift relevant equipment to the laboratories having specific safety standards in order to carry out tests of Corona virus suspects. He said that PU would bear the expense of first 1,000 tests of suspected patients of corona virus which would be referred by Punjab Health Department. He said that the country was facing critical circumstances and PU would not let down the country as well as the nation. Later, Dr Idress Ahmad briefed the PU VC about diagnostic kit to test corona virus patients in a different lab and showed him some samples of already prepared kits. Dr Idrees said that after receiving the raw material, the production of corona virus diagnostic kits would be started at mass level. He said that the tests of corona virus suspects referred by Health Department would be conducted at dedicated laboratories. He said that he would also give training to others so that results of Corona virus tests could be reported accurately.