Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today launched Mobile COVID testing facility for Northeast, beginning with Mizoram. <br />''<br />''On the occasion of launching the facility virtually, Chief Minister Zoramthanga. State health Minister Dr. R. Lalthangliana joined the program. This is the first of its kind Mobile Diagnostic Laboratory (I-LAB) capable of doing both RT-PCR and ELISA tests.<br />''  <br />''On the occasion, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, the Lab developed with the support from the central Department of Biotechnology is meant to provide COVID testing access to rural and remote parts of North eastern region. He said, the unit has bio-safety facility and is capable of performing both RT-PCR and ELISA tests and this facility can also be utilized for testing of other infectious diseases like TB, HIV and therefore will remain relevant even in post-COVID times.<br />''  <br />''Dr Jitendra Singh called for linking the I-LAB with a tele-consultation facility in accordance with disease profile of the population of the North-Eastern region. He informed that tests like Mammography and Vision-testing can be added with the mobile laboratory. The facility will be hugely beneficial to the people of the region.<br />''  <br />''On the occasion, Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga expressed his gratitude to Dr Jitendra Singh for presenting this facility and said that this will help bridge the gap in COVID testing in border districts and remote areas lacking in RT-PCR testing facility.<br />''<span style="color: #222222;">        <br />''State health Minister Dr R. Lalthangliana said that the pandemic has taken a huge toll on health infrastructure, particularly in the North-Eastern States. He said, the I-LAB will go a long way in reaching out to people of difficult and inhospitable terrain for COVID test and cure.</span><br />