Dr S C Parija, Director of Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIMPER) today inaugurated the XIV National workshop on ‘Diagnostic Methods in Clinical Microbiology’organised by the Department of Microbiology, JIPMER.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Parija said that the infectious diseases continue to be a scourge, especially in developing countries like India. Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases are a major cause of concern throughout the world, he said adding that this workshop aims at providing exposure to clinical microbiologists to both simple procedures for diagnosis, as well as molecular methods of diagnosis which are becoming increasingly important in their management. According to a Jipmer release, a total of 25 participants from various parts of the country have been selected for the workshop. The workshop modules have been designed to give an overall view of clinical microbiology. Importance of basic techniques like staining and microscopic examination shall be emphasised to the participants.

The candidates shall also be given an insight into advanced techniques like Real time PCR, MGIT culture & use of GeneXpert. The candidates shall be provided with a standard operating manual containing details of all the techniques and procedures demonstrated in the workshop for better understanding and standardisation of these procedures in their own centres. The goals of the workshop are broadly drawn from the national goals on health care which refers to the provision of readily available, affordable health care for all. Emphasis on hands on training in cheap and affordable techniques in laboratory diagnosis of infectious diseases gives us an opportunity to fulfill this goal, the release added.