Bhubaneshwar: June 10: Govt. of Odisha announced the launch of the first-ever ‘Roche NAT Solution’ under Public Private Partnership with Roche Diagnostics (India) at Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar. NAT or Nucleic acid testing (NAT) solution enables screening of donated blood, to reduce the risk of transfusion transmitted infections (TTIs) in people receiving blood. This is the first time that NAT technology is being introduced in the State of Odisha. The State Government through its association with Roche Diagnostics India, already Launched Nucleic acid testing (NAT) at VSS Medical College and Hospital, Burla and shall be launching similar facilities at SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack today and MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur shortly.
Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak, Hon. Minister for Health and Family Welfare, I &PR, Odisha State Government said, “We are happy to bring the Roche NAT solution to Odisha. This is a firm step towards our Government’s commitment to providing quality healthcare in the State. With this technology, we can be assured that people of Odisha will get access to safe blood in State Blood Banks. Safe blood is the foundation of healthy living. I am happy that such safe blood will now be available to everybody in our State through our Blood Banks.”
Dr. Sandeep Sewlikar, Head – Medical and Scientific Affairs of Roche Diagnostics India said, “World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that, in India there is a shortage of 3 million units of blood against the annual need of 12 million units. In such a shortage situation, the quality of blood being transfused generally is not the prime focus. However, if blood screening is not done with NAT technology or if the transfusion procedure is unsafe, life-saving blood can lead to life-threatening ‘transfusion transmitted infections’ (TTI), besides causing other serious adverse reactions. The issue of safe blood transfusion and stringent quality checks is a concern equally critical as shortage of blood, and needs to be addressed.” WHO recommendations mandate high quality screening of all donated blood for infections, blood grouping and compatibility testing, to meet healthcare needs. As a screening technology, NAT has proven effective in detecting window period cases of viral infections. The introduction of NAT wills significantly reduce-TTI(Transfusion Transmitted infection) associated morbidity and mortality. Additionally, it will also have a positive health economic effect of reduction in State’s and personal expenditure on treatment and hospitalization due to TTIs.”
Dignitaries present at the inaugural ceremony are Odisha Tourism & Culture Minister, Hon Shri Ashok Chandra Panda and Hon. Dr. Prasanna Kumar Patasani, MP., Mr. Priyadarshi Mishra, Hon’ble MLA, Bijaya Kumar Mohanty, Hon’ble MLA, Mr. Ananta Narayan Jena, Mayor, BMC, Bhubaneswar, Mrs. Arti Ahuja, Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Niranjan Sahoo Collector, Khurda were present in this auspicious event.
