Pune: The Maharashtra Institute of Virology (MIV) in Pune is set for a major upgrade to match the standards of the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Health Minister Prakash Abitkar announced during his visit to the facility on Thursday. The initiative aims to strengthen the state’s disease surveillance, diagnosis, and public health infrastructure.
Minister Reviews MIV Operations and Facilities
During his visit to MIV’s Camp campus, Minister Abitkar reviewed the institute’s infrastructure, advanced laboratories, and ongoing diagnostic operations. “We envision MIV laboratories becoming a benchmark in disease diagnosis and a pivotal hub for strengthening the public health infrastructure,” he said, as reported by The Times of India (TOI).
Expert Committee Reviews Infrastructure Needs
A preliminary report detailing MIV’s infrastructure requirements has already been submitted to a high-level committee of experts. The proposal includes the installation of around 150 high-end instruments such as automated ELISA processors, electron microscopes, and DNA-sequencing analyzers to ensure world-class diagnostic capabilities.
Focus on Research Excellence and Lab Standards
Minister Abitkar commended MIV’s researchers and technicians for their contribution to public health and encouraged them to uphold high standards in research and diagnostics. He emphasized that the upgraded MIV should serve as a model laboratory in both research output and public health responsiveness.
Visit to Serum Institute of India (SII)
As part of his day-long tour, Abitkar also visited the Serum Institute of India (SII) to review its cervical cancer vaccine production units. He met with SII Managing Director Dr. Cyrus Poonawalla and discussed ongoing vaccine manufacturing initiatives and expansion plans aimed at bolstering immunization programs in Maharashtra.
Call for Cervical Cancer Prevention Measures
Speaking to TOI, Abitkar stressed the need for preventive healthcare strategies against cervical cancer. “Vaccination, awareness, timely diagnosis and treatment are key in preventing cervical cancer. Considering its prevalence among women in the state, it is imperative to implement screening campaigns and preventive measures,” he said.
Assessment of Emergency Ambulance Services
Minister Abitkar later visited the central control room for emergency ambulance services (102, 104, and 108) located at Aundh Uro Hospital. He assessed the call monitoring systems, GPS-enabled response mechanisms, and technological infrastructure. Directives were issued to improve operational efficiency and reduce ambulance response times.
Maharashtra EMS: A Growing Lifeline
According to The Indian Express, Maharashtra’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) operates 937 ambulances, including 237 Advanced Life Support and 704 Basic Life Support units. Since its launch on January 26, 2014, the service has assisted over 1.13 crore emergency patients. Dr. Dnyaneshwar Shelke, Chief Operating Officer of Maharashtra EMS, highlighted the integration of Computer-Aided Dispatch systems and GPS tracking for better coordination.
Plans for an Integrated Statewide Ambulance Network
This marked Minister Abitkar’s first visit to the Maharashtra EMS control room, which also houses the 104 Health Advice Call Centre. The government now plans to create a unified network connecting all emergency services—operated by agencies such as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation and the National Highway Authority of India—to ensure faster, coordinated emergency response across the state.
