The first Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology based NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing) machine in Meghalaya, was launched into service on December 10 in the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Centre, NEIGRIHMS by Director Prof. (Dr.) Nalin Mehta.
NAT is a molecular technique for screening the blood that has been donated by donors to reduce the risk of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) in recipients, thus providing an additional layer of blood safety.
A statement from the institute said there are very serious viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted through blood, e.g., HIV 1 and 2, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Malaria, CMV, HTLV etc. NAT can detect low levels of these viruses in blood and it can also identify occult hepatitis B carrier status, which can be infectious.
In India, as per the Drugs Licensing guidelines, mandatory testing of the first five diseases should be performed on all donated units before issue for transfusion. Technologies such as this PCR/TMA based NAT testing markedly improve the safety of blood by reducing the window period from weeks and months to just a few days, NEIGRIHMS said.
With the commissioning of the machine it will be a great boon for the patients of the entire North Eastern region and Meghalaya in particular.
NEIGRIHMS plans to evolve a mechanism to offer blood testing facility using this state-of-the-art technology to other blood centres in the region.
