Recognizing the essential requirement to maintain quality, consistency, and uniformity in laboratory practices across the network, a Resource Centre for VRDLs (RCVRDL) was created at ICMR-NIV, Pune. The RCVRDL has been entrusted with the responsibilities of sharing technical and scientific resources and expertise, developing Standard Operating Protocols (SOP), training the scientific and technical workforce in VRDLs, and conducting Quality Assurance/Quality Control/External Quality Assurance (EQA) programs. The RCVRDL has been established for providing overall guidance to VRDLs with following objectives:
a) To provide training (centralized and on-site) for different categories of staff in the VRDL network
b) To establish and conduct Quality Assurance and Quality Control programs
c) To provide support in outbreak investigations
Achievements
1. The RCVRDL prepared a document titled the ‘DHR/ICMR Information Booklet for the Network of VRDLs The booklet has been distributed within the VRDL network, and includes detailed information on the following aspects:
2.The RCVRDL has developed and initiated Quality Control programs for ELISA tests for viral diagnosis for the VRDL network.
3.In addition, External Quality Assessment (EQA) programs have been launched for ELISA-based serological diagnosis of dengue, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis as well as molecular diagnosis of influenza. The EQA programs aims:
Resource materials prepared by RCVRDL for VRDLs
