After years of depending on external laboratories, Sion Hospital is preparing to set up its own ‘TB containment’ laboratory, aiming to enhance its capacity to detect drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). The new facility will allow in-house drug sensitivity testing for 5%–10% of TB-positive cases out of the 15,000 samples tested annually at the hospital.
Moving Away from External Testing Partners
Until now, the hospital has sent all TB-positive samples to private laboratories affiliated with the National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP)—such as PD Hinduja Hospital or, more recently, Thyrocare—for drug resistance testing. However, this outsourcing model resulted in longer turnaround times and logistical delays.
Earlier this month, Sion Hospital floated a tender to build the new containment lab. Once the tender process concludes, the hospital will make the lab operational within a few months.
Enhancing Diagnostic Capacity for Drug-Resistant TB
Dr. Mohan Joshi, Dean of Sion Hospital, stated that the lab will strengthen Mumbai’s TB surveillance, especially as the city reports 50,000 to 60,000 new TB cases every year, including several thousand that are drug-resistant.
Dr. Dilip Turbadkar, Head of the Microbiology Department, noted that 1%–2% of all positive TB samples detected at Sion are found to be drug-resistant. With the new lab in place, the hospital will be able to identify and respond to these cases faster.
Faster Diagnosis Using Liquid Culture Technology
As reported by TOI, the containment lab will use the Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube (MGIT) system, which applies liquid culture techniques to detect TB bacteria and test for drug resistance. This method significantly reduces the time to results—7 to 21 days, depending on the bacterial load—compared to traditional solid cultures, which can take up to 8 weeks.
“In-house testing tools will improve turnaround time for diagnosis. It’s quicker and more convenient,” said one of the hospital’s microbiologists.
Ensuring Safety Through Advanced Containment Systems
Despite the speed advantage, liquid cultures pose higher bio-safety risks. Currently, the hospital uses solid cultures, which are safer but slower. To address the increased risks, the new lab will be designed with advanced containment features, including ventilation systems that direct air inward, preventing the escape of airborne pathogens.
Dr. Turbadkar added that similar containment labs are already functional at KEM and JJ hospitals. Setting up such a facility requires approval from the Central TB Division, which also helps deploy trained technical staff.
A Step Forward in Strengthening Public TB Services
With this containment lab, Sion Hospital will take a more proactive role in detecting and managing drug-resistant TB, supporting national efforts to eliminate tuberculosis and reduce the disease burden in urban centres.