Patna, Nov. 26: The microbiology department of Patna Medical College and Hospital would start 33 new tests from tomorrow.

These tests would help ascertain the reason for diseases, including Hepatitis A, Hepatitis E and Toxoplasmosis (a disease that results from infection of Toxoplasma gondii parasite among pregnant women).

Indian Council of Medical Research, World Health Organisation and the state government are providing assistance to the microbiology department to start these tests.

Shankar Prakash, the head of the microbiology department, said: “These 33 new tests are not yet available in any government hospital. For some of these tests, people have to shell out Rs 5,000 to 6,000 in private hospitals. But we would provide these tests for free.”