Chandigarh: In a major boost to healthcare infrastructure, the Haryana Health Department has approved the establishment of an HIV viral load testing laboratory at Civil Hospital, Panchkula. This will be the state’s second such dedicated facility after Rohtak, with the project sanctioned at an annual cost of Rs. 1.65 crore and an estimated capacity of around 15,000 tests per year. The information was shared by Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra, who highlighted that the initiative aims to improve timely diagnosis and monitoring of HIV-positive patients across the state.
The laboratory will be set up using the existing Covid-19 molecular testing infrastructure at Civil Hospital, Panchkula, along with the addition of specialised equipment for HIV viral load testing. This cost-effective approach will allow the facility to become operational quickly without requiring a completely new setup. The project has been developed based on inputs from the Haryana State AIDS Control Society (HSACS), while technical evaluation was carried out by the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). The cost per test has been fixed at Rs. 1,100 as per national guidelines, and notably, the entire expenditure for setting up and running the facility will be borne by NACO, placing no financial burden on the state government.
Currently, HIV samples from across Haryana are sent to PGIMS Rohtak, often leading to delays in diagnosis and treatment monitoring. The new lab in Panchkula is expected to significantly reduce turnaround time, enabling better tracking of treatment effectiveness, early detection of therapy failure, and prevention of drug resistance. Regular viral load testing is crucial for HIV-positive individuals, as it ensures timely medical intervention and improved health outcomes. The initiative is part of a broader effort to decentralise specialised healthcare services, making them more accessible to underserved populations while strengthening Haryana’s overall response to HIV/AIDS.
