The Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS), Banaras Hindu University (BHU), has achieved a significant milestone by earning accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL). The accreditation is granted under the ISO 15189:2012 standards, which recognize quality and competence in medical laboratories.
This prestigious recognition affirms the VRDL’s consistent excellence in delivering accurate, high-quality diagnostic services and conducting impactful research. The laboratory has been instrumental in monitoring and diagnosing viral infections, especially during critical periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking on Saturday, Principal Investigator Prof. Gopal Nath shared that the VRDL conducted nearly nine lakh COVID-19 tests during the pandemic. Over the past 18 months, the lab has also performed approximately 8,000 diagnostic tests for various viral illnesses including dengue, COVID-19, and Japanese encephalitis.
Prof. Nath credited this achievement to the tireless efforts and teamwork of Co-Principal Investigator Prof. Pradyot Prakash and the entire scientific and technical team. Key contributors to this success include Dr. Sudhir Kumar Singh, Dr. Alka Shukla, Dr. Manoj Kumar, Dr. Mayank Gangwar, Deepak Kumar, Sonam Rastogi, Digvijay Singh, Pankaj Kumar, Ashish R. Singh, and Ajay Kumar.
He emphasized that NABL accreditation not only enhances the credibility of IMS-BHU’s diagnostic capabilities but also aligns the laboratory with international standards. This global recognition means that test results from VRDL are accepted and trusted worldwide.
Congratulating the team, Prof. S.N. Shankhwar, Director of IMS-BHU, highlighted that the laboratory is continually evolving and upgrading its infrastructure and services to meet the growing public health needs. He noted that this accreditation is a reflection of IMS-BHU’s steadfast commitment to excellence in public health diagnostics and research.
With this achievement, VRDL reinforces its role as a key contributor to disease surveillance and healthcare advancement in the region and beyond.