Puducherry Lt. Governor K. Kailashnathan, reviews the Sedarapet project, at JIPMER in Puducherry on July 20, 2026. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A high-level meeting chaired by Lieutenant Governor K. Kailashnathan has reviewed the proposed development of the Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research’s (JIPMER) Sedarapet campus into a major healthcare, education, and research hub in Puducherry.

JIPMER has planned to established a Centre for Trauma Care and Rehabilitation with Air Ambulance Facility and a Centre for Organ Transplantation at around 50 acres of land allotted by the Puducherry administration at Sedarapet village. The land transfer procedures were recently completed by the territorial administration.

The Lt. Governor reviewed the project while he was on a visit to the JIPMER campus on Monday (July 20, 2026) to inaugurate the state-of-the-art clinical immunology laboratory of the institute. The review meeting was attended by Secretary, Public Works, A. Muthamma, Secretary, Industries Vikranth Raja, Director of JIPMER Vir Singh Negi and senior officials and staff members of the institute. Detailed discussions were held to make the Sedarapet campus into a major healthcare hub with world class infrastructure. The Lt. Governor assured the support of the administration in developing the new centre.

Advanced clinical immunology lab

A release from JIPMER said the state-of-the-art clinical immunology laboratory at the institute was the only government healthcare centre in south India to offer comprehensive in-house diagnostics and translational research for autoimmune diseases under one roof. The lab houses a dedicated diagnostic section equipped with ELISA, nephelometry and Immunoblot systems for comprehensive autoimmune testing, the release said.

The cell imaging facility is equipped with advanced fluorescence and polarising microscopes along with a sophisticated 16-colour flow cytometer, enabling diagnosis of rare immune disorders and inborn errors of immunity. The molecular diagnostics unit features dedicated DNA and RNA extraction workstations and advanced PCR facilities for molecular testing. The lab also houses a modern cell culture facility, the release said.

“The commissioning of the advanced laboratory marks a significant milestone in JIPMER’s efforts to strengthen precision diagnostics, translational research and patient-centered care. The facility is expected to emerge as a major referral centre for autoimmune diseases in southern India while promoting collaborative clinical research and innovation in immunology,” the release said.

The Lt. Governor also visited JIPMER’s sewage treatment plant and he was briefed by the management on the initiatives in wastewater treatment, recycling and sustainable water management. He also participated in the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam,’ campaign by planting saplings.

Published - July 21, 2026 03:10 pm IST