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Picture Courtesy:  THE HINDU

Context:

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to expand its fleet of Mobile Biosafety Level-3 (MBSL-3) laboratories.

About Mobile Biosafety Level-3 (MBSL-3)

The Mobile Biosafety Level-3 (MBSL-3) laboratory is a fully indigenous "laboratory on wheels" designed to handle highly dangerous pathogens directly at the site of an outbreak, including remote and inaccessible areas.

Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) classification denotes laboratories equipped to safely work with airborne pathogens and microbes that can cause serious or potentially lethal disease through inhalation. BSL-3 labs feature strict safety measures, controlled airflow, and specialized equipment to contain hazardous agents.

Strategic Importance

Enhanced Outbreak Response => MBSL-3 labs provide crucial on-site diagnostic surge capacity during outbreaks of known or unknown high-risk pathogens.  

Strengthening Public Health Delivery => These mobile labs extend advanced diagnostic services to remote and underserved areas, where permanent BSL-3 facilities may not exist.  

Part of 'Advanced Augmented Network' (RAMBAAN) => The MBSL-3 units, known as RAMBAAN (Rapid Action Mobile BSL-3 laboratory), form an essential part of India’s plan for an 'Advanced Augmented Network.' This network combines mobile labs with well-trained diagnostic teams, creating a robust system for dealing with emerging and re-emerging disease outbreaks.

Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) => The development of these MBSL-3 laboratories falls under the Union Health Ministry’s Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, emphasizing the government's commitment to building resilient health systems.

Key Features

The laboratory is built on a heavy-duty Bharat Benz vehicle chassis, compliant with BS VI emission norms. It is specifically designed to operate at extreme temperatures and high altitudes, bearing a maximum load capacity of 17 tonnes.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies the MBSL-3 as a Type-IV Rapid Response Mobile Laboratory in its Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.

Advanced Biosafety Measures

• Negative Air Pressure => The lab maintains a negative air pressure environment, to ensure that air flows inward, preventing the escape of infectious aerosols from the laboratory to the outside environment.
• HVAC with HEPA Filters => It is equipped with an advanced Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) system integrated with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters. These filters trap airborne microbes and contaminants, ensuring clean air within the lab and safe exhaust.
• Waste Management => The facility includes a double-door autoclave for sterilizing contaminated materials, and a Biological Liquid Effluent Decontamination (BLED) system and Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) fogger system for safely treating biological waste.

Operational Zones => The MBSL-3 laboratory's work area divides into four distinct zones, each with specific functions and increasing levels of biosafety:

• Zone-1: Driver and outer change room.
• Zone-2: Shower and inner change room.
• Zone-3: Main laboratory, where diagnostic work with pathogens takes place.
• Zone-4: Material staging and decontamination area.

Strict Protocols => The operation follows strict biosafety protocols, BSL-3 practices, and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for specimen handling and processing, including mandatory use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) like coveralls and double gloves. 

Source: 

THE HINDU