Kolkata becomes first city to install RT-PCR machines in India

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has installed first of its kind high-end reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machines in India for quick detection of diseases such as  dengue, tuberculosis and swine flu.

The machines will serve as a “third umpire” in situations when medical reports and blood tests reveal contradictory results. Its objective is to provide accurate DNA report on blood tests in order to ascertain the actual cause of illness.  Through these machines, test will be conducted free of costs. In the initial stages of the project four machines have been installed at Haji Mohammad Moshin Square in central part of the city.