The Indian Medical Association, Maharashtra (IMA), has suggested a way to increase COVID-19 testing centres with another 5,000 units in the state. It wants all qualified and Maharashtra Medical Council approved, experienced and qualified pathologists and microbiologists to be allowed to carry out antigen testing.

However, since only National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) approved laboratories and institutes are allowed to conduct COVID tests, the IMA has appealed to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray and the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) to remove this rider of NABL accreditation.