Delhi’s Intermediate Reference Laboratory (IRL), Tuberculosis Centre, has received its first certification from the Central Tuberculosis Division (CTD), Government of India, to conduct Drug Susceptibility Testing (DST) for Bedaquiline (BDQ) and Pretomanid (Pa), essential drugs for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) treatment. This achievement signifies a significant advancement in Delhi’s TB response, enhancing the state’s ability to diagnose and manage multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB), according to Pankaj Kumar Singh, Delhi Health Minister.
The certification enables in-state DST for Bedaquiline and Pretomanid, ensuring quicker and more precise diagnosis and timely treatment for patients. This move aligns with Delhi’s commitment to support the Prime Minister’s vision of a TB-free India. Previously, advanced DST samples had to be sent out of the state, causing delays in patient care. With this approval, patients in Delhi will benefit from faster results, timely treatment initiation, and improved clinical outcomes.
The IRL New Delhi TB Centre is one of India’s most advanced laboratories, equipped with state-of-the-art technologies like BSL-3 laboratory facility, MGIT 960, Line Probe Assay (LPA), Xpert XDR, Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), Truenat, PathoDetect, and Real-Time PCR. These cutting-edge diagnostic platforms ensure accurate and rapid TB detection, meeting both national and global standards. In 2025, the laboratory processed over 30,000 samples, highlighting its crucial role in supporting TB diagnosis and treatment in the state.
