A New Born Screening (NBS) laboratory would be set up in the State with the help of Emory University of United States to trace any possible disease in new born babies. Haryana will be the first State in the country where this lab would be set up on pilot project basis, said Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Wednesday after holding a meeting with a delegation led by Executive Director of the Emory Genetics laboratory (United States), Dr Madhuri Hegde.
Vij said that under this project, every type of diagnosis would be carried out on 2 to 7 days old babies. In case, if any disease or problem is identified then efforts would be made to treat it with medicines, diet, counseling and other necessary directions. He said that an advanced lab would also be set up in the state for the success of this project for which Emory University would provide every help.
With the help of this lab, blood samples and other tests of new born children would be carried out. This would also help in bringing down the infant mortality rate in the State. This facility would be provided to children taking birth in all private and Government hospitals in the State, he added.
Speaking at the meeting, Dr Hegde said that in Haryana, all conditions are positive to launch this project. Therefore, Emory University is starting this project in Haryana on pilot project basis. She said that the University would not only help in setting up high quality new lab in the State, but would also provide better training to doctors over here.