Considering the health hazard posed by spread of swine flu in Hyderabad and to ensure speedy response in case of emergency, the government will take steps to set up a swine flu testing centre at King George Hospital (KGH) in Visakhapatnam, said minister for HRD Ganta Srinivasa Rao here Thursday. A group of doctors at the KGH had complained to the minister that the hospitals in the state have to depend on the Institute of Preventive Measures (IPM) in Hyderabad to test samples in suspected swine flu . As the IPM has been neglecting cases from Andhra Pradesh, testing of samples are delayed, they said. The doctors also urged the minister to set up a swine flu testing centre at KGH, which would help early detection if the deadly disease.

Reacting to the plea, Ganta Srinivasa Rao held discussions with the doctors on the modalities to set up the lab and the facilities needed for the same. The doctors pointed out that the virology lab in the microbiology department at KGH could be upgraded as a swine flu testing centre, for which they need PCR equipment as well as training for the doctors. The estimated cost of the PCR equipment is around Rs 15 to Rs 20 lakh, said a doctor. The minister said that he will discuss the matter with higher officials and assured steps to set up the lab using hospital funds.