Shillong, Dec 12: The first Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology based NAT (Nucleic Acid Testing) machine in the state of Meghalaya, was launched into service on the 10th of December 2024, in the Department of Transfusion Medicine and Blood Centre, NEIGRIHMS, by Prof. (Dr.) Nalin Mehta, Director, NEIGRIHMS.
Nucleic acid testing (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.
Transfusion of the safest quality of blood is given utmost importance in modern medical care. There are very serious viruses and bacteria that can be transmitted through blood, for example, 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 above mentioned 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.
Thus, the commissioning of this machine 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.
