At the beginning of the RNTCP era, ZN microscopy was the only diagnostic technology available and STDCs were made in charge of monitoring and ensuring quality. Since then, laboratory services in the NTEP has been under continuous evolution and expansion. The programme has expanded to use a range of technology to detect both Mycobacterium Tuberculosis as well as resistance to the various anti-TB drugs. These include LED microscopy, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based rapid molecular tests/ NAAT and C&DST. These tests have been increasingly scaled up and integrated into the TB Programme. 

This evolution and expansion have resulted in laboratory services being a highly specialized Microbiological area. The IRL has evolved under the STDC as important institution in the NTEP. The IRL has the responsibility to ensure laboratory services for all technologies in the region are performing at the optimum standard and quality. In this context the STDC being the overarching institution for technical assistance to the state, it has to manage the IRL and ensure that it performs as per the expectations of the program. This includes:

  1. Completion of Microscopy/ NAAT Quality Assurance activities in the region as per plan. The Framework for implementing microscopy EQA available here. 
  2. Facilitating the certification process and quality assurance of all linked C&DST Labs in the state.
  3. Co-ordinating the establishment of new C&DST labs in the state as per the needs, in consultation with CTD.
  4. Facilitating ongoing Lab Trainings at STDC
  5. Facilitating other ongoing programme functions in relation to laboratory services, mentioned in the corresponding sections.