Govt to set up model lab in each district
NEW DELHI: The (health ministry’s) assessment report found that some labs didn’t have equipment, and the labs that had equipment did not have adequately trained staff to handle those sophisticated machines.
DR JAGDISH PRASAD, director general of health services
The Union health ministry looks to upgrade and modernise one diagnostic laboratory in each district across India in a bid to fast-track diagnosis, especially during disease outbreaks.
These “models labs” can then be replicated across a state’s health centres and hospitals, which will help reduce overcrowding of tertiary care hospitals due to referrals.
“The lab of one district hospital will be upgraded with a focus on strengthening microbiology, pathology and biochemistry. States can select and choose the lab they want upgraded first and can later replicate the model in other district hospitals,” said Dr Jagdish Prasad, director gen- eral of health services (DGHS), health ministry.
The government’s move comes on the heels of a health ministry review of diagnostic facilities in four states — Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
“The assessment report found that some labs didn’t have equipment, and the labs that had equipment did not have adequately trained staff to handle those sophisticated machines. Maintenance is also a big problem, as a result many expensive equipment lie unused and people are referred to far-off places for tests,” said Prasad.
On October 25, DGHS reviewed a technical advisory group meeting for integrated laboratories at the district level, and asked for response from the states.
The project is expected to be completed in about six months, and will be spearheaded by the National Centre for Disease Control’s (NCDC) director and his team.
“Health is a state subject, so the project can’t materialise without taking the states on board. We have asked the states to choose districts as per their requirement. We will show them that it is possible to create facilities in a limited budget and produce high-class test reports,” Prasad said.
As part of a larger plan, the health ministry will also mentor a medical college in each state and train doctors, nurses, paramedical and technical staff who can further train their peers in other hospitals.
“We want to standardise medical colleges and hospitals attached to them. This will be a good way to ensure all of them follow a standard protocol. All these hospitals and labs will gradually be integrated to benefit patients in the long run,” said Prasad.