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India Gets Its First Mobile BSL-3 Lab

It’s a medical testing laboratory inside a bus!

The mobile BSL-3 laboratory. Photo by NewsOnAIR.

Anamitra Swarupa • 26 Apr, 2023 • 5 Min

CEFR A2 (Easy)

What is a BSL-3 laboratory?

A BSL-3 (Biosafety Level 3) laboratory is a special laboratory that is used to study infectious matter (like Coronavirus) that can cause serious diseases in humans.

These labs use precautions such as sealed windows and ventilation to stop pathogens from spreading. Lab workers wear protective gear to stay safe. The labs follow strict rules to make sure everything is handled safely.

Recently, India's first mobile BSL-3 laboratory was on display during the second G20 Health Working Group Meeting. This meeting was held in Goa from 17th April 2023 to 19th April 2023.

What do we know about India’s first mobile BSL-3 laboratory?

The inside of the RAMBAAN mobile BSL-3 laboratory. Photo by ICMR.

The mobile BSL-3 laboratory is named RAMBAAN (Rapid Action Mobile BSL3+ Advanced Augmented Network). It is made in India by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It can be used to test infectious substances in remote regions.

The mobile BSL-3 lab is built inside a bus and can get rid of chemical waste to decrease the possibility of any infection. The mobile laboratory was launched in February 2022 to examine diseases that can spread easily and are dangerous for humans.

Were there other things on display at the G20 Health Working Group Meeting?

The ICMR stall at the G20 Health Working Group Meeting. Photo by ICMR.

ICMR's hand-held digital medical X-ray was also on display. This device weighs 1.8 kg and looks like a camera. Typical portable X-ray machines weigh between 20 and 70 kg. So, the new machine is easier to use and carry.

Visitors at the ICMR stall also saw a variety of smartphone apps, including a fever tracker, a malaria dashboard, and an app for treating hypertension and diabetes.

What is the G20 Health Working Group Meeting about?

The G20 Health Working Group Meeting is an event for health experts from the G20 countries to discuss global health concerns. The latest meeting in Goa focused on improving access to medical treatments that are safe, effective, and of high quality. Topics discussed included building a vaccine production network and preventing future health emergencies.