Regional Chemical Examiner’s Lab at Ernakulam hit by shortage of manpower and instruments
The Hindu
In addition to being understaffed, the lab also suffers a shortage of modern equipment and maintenance.
The Excise Department continues to await the chemical analysis report of more than one kilogram of MDMA, which it seized from an apartment at Thrikkakara a month ago.
The report is integral to scientifically and chemically confirming the drug and determine its purity, while also critical for the prosecution to fight the case legally.
The Regional Chemical Examiner’s Laboratory, Kakkanad, has just started the chemical analysis of the samples after many of its officials either reported COVID-19 positive or had to undergo an extensive period of quarantine after family members of colleagues got infected, disrupting the functioning of the lab.
Although Karnataka is considered a low leprosy endemic State, the prevalence rate in three districts — Koppal, Vijayanagara, and Ballari — continues to be higher than the national average of 0.6%. Overall, the State has recorded a prevalence rate of 0.33% in 2023–2024. January 30 is observed as National Leprosy Eradication Day.