Expensive equipment, testing kits gutted in microbiology lab at SMS med college

Jaipur: A fire broke out in the microbiology department lab at SMS Medical College, Jaipur on Monday morning destroying expensive equipment and testing kits. Following the fire incident, the SMS Medical College made alternate arrangements to continue testing samples for diagnosis of diseases.

Advanced Microbiology Lab played a crucial role in conducting advanced tests related to tuberculosis, COVID-19, and genome sequencing. The lab, equipped with the state-of-the-art technology in 2021, now faces huge losses due to the fire. Over 20 air conditioners, furniture, and other essential items were also destroyed.

The medical college claimed that the microbiology department would resume COVID-19 testing by relocating machines to an alternate lab. The lab was instrumental in advanced virus testing for swine flu, COVID-19, bio-fire, dengue, chikungunya, and hepatitis.

The incident happened on Monday morning, before office time. Health minister Gajendra Singh Khinvsar reached the college and inspected the microbiology lab. Additional chief secretary (health) Shubhra Singh, SMS Medical College principal Dr Rajeev Bagarhatta also reached there.

Khinvsar expressed satisfaction over the action taken by fire brigade and police teams to extinguish the fire. He said, “Directions have been issued to SMS Medical College principal to form a committee to investigate the fire incident.”

He directed officials to take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in future and immediately assess the loss of resources in the lab and streamline all the arrangements as soon as possible. The minister directed the officials to make alternative arrangements to maintain the sample testing services of patients in the lab.

The fire broke out due to a short circuit in the cold storage room of the lab, said officials. Assistant fire officer Subham Sharma stated, “It took nearly two hours of concerted efforts to bring the fire under control. The machines and valuable items inside the lab have been destroyed.”

The fire was promptly reported to Ghatgate control room at 5:25am. The staff on duty immediately alerted the fire brigade and police.