A team of scientists, headed by Dr. D. Srinivasa Reddy, Director, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM) Jammu discussed the launch of S&T initiatives CSIR envisages in Ladakh with the UT administration on November 27.

Dr. D.S.Reddy briefed about the activities being carried out by IIIM related to the COVID testing facilities at Leh and Kargil to Commissioner/Secretary Health, Rigzin Samphel.

He further informed that four RT-PCR machines, two biosafety cabinets are being procured and would be delivered shortly to augment the COVID testing. The newly developed CSIR technology ‘FELUDA’ will also be explored for COVID testing in the future.

Dr. Reddy informed that Sun Pharma is supporting this activity partially as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Rigzin Samphel appreciated the efforts of CSIR and Sun Pharma and instructed Director Health Services to nominate one officer from the health department as nodal officer to coordinate with the authorities of CSIR-IIIM for providing logistic support.

Director Health Services, Ladakh, Dr. Phuntsog Angchuk; Chief Medical Officer, Leh, Dr. Motup Dorjay; Medical Superintendent, SNM Hospital Leh, Dr. Nurzin Angmo and other officers from the UT-Ladakh were present in the meeting.