Management of the IRL

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. From initial smear microscopy services available for TB detection using a ZN-Microscope, the program has expanded to use a range of technology to detect both Mycobacterium TB as well as resistance to the various anti-TB drugs, including LED microscopy, PCR based rapid molecular tests/ NAAT, Culture and DST. These have been increasingly scaled up and integrated into the TB Program. 

This evolution and expansion has resulted in laboratory services being a highly specialized Microbiological area. The Intermediate Reference Laboratory has evolved under the STDC as important institution in the NTEP. The IRL has made been in-charge of ensuring Laboratory services for all technologies in the region are performing at the optimum standard and quality.

In this context the STDC being the over arching institution for technical assistance to the state, it should manage the IRL and ensure that it performs as per the expectations of the program. The norms for establishing the IRL and the various resources, infrastructure, equipment and services are mentioned separately. Here, the performance management functions expected from the STDC in relation to the IRL is described here.

The Microbiologist (EQA/ IRL) is in-charge of the IRL and reports to the STDC Director. Following are some of the major aspects by which the STDC Director would review the performance management of the IRL:

1. completion of Microscopy/ NAAT Quality Assurance activities in the region as per plan
2. accreditation and quality of all linked C&DST labs in the region

The ongoing training and program M&E functions in relation to the IRL is mentioned in the corresponding sections.