Lister Metropolis, a part of Metropolis Health Services, has received authorization from Tamil Nadu state government to initiate H1N1 testing for Swine Flu after it cleared all safety norms specified by the state government.

Metropolis Labs in Mumbai and Pune have also applied for conducting H1N1 and are waiting for the government approvals for the same, according to a release here. "Post this approval from the Tamil Nadu government, we at Metropolis, are fully geared for the testing of as many patients as possible for the H1N1 screening. Metropolis labs in Mumbai and Pune are also fully prepared for H1N1 testing,'' its managing director Dr G S K Velu said.

Metropolis Health Services has the maximum number of accreditation. Besides CAP, NABL and ISO, Metropolis is the first laboratory to receive SANAS an accreditation given for the first time to any international laboratory in South Africa. "Special room and trained staff have been arranged for the H1N1 testing. Complete Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) has been provided for all involved. We are using the RT PCR method and approved tests and kits. We have also set up a separate MIS system for patients' registration, thus creating an independent database for all H1N1 testing taking place,'' according to Dr Anitha Suryanarayan, chief of Laboratories- Metropolis Health Services.

In order to avoid any sort of mixing with the general public, Lister Metropolis has created a special room for all H1N1 testing to take place. This room is non air conditioned with a separate entry and exit. The sample collection is done through a window to reduce contact and waste disposal has been managed according to the rules mentioned by the government. Staff comprising of technicians and micro biologists have been specially trained for the screening process, the release added.