Govt to establish 10 integrated public health labs in capital
A committee has been formed by the department of health and family welfare to oversee the planning and implementation of the project.
The IPHLs will cater to primary health centres (PHCs) and sub-centres in their respective districts, improving access to essential diagnostic services. The panel was directed to submit a comprehensive plan detailing infrastructure, resource needs and implementation timelines by July 7.
The DGHS will oversee the preparation of the tender document to initiate the procurement and execution process. The initiative aims to strengthen public health infrastructure and improve access to quality diagnostic services at the grassroots level.
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Committee members will assess PM-ABHIM scheme guidelines for IPHL establishment. Their proposal will specify equipment, staff requirements and operational aspects, including financial planning, for the IPHLs.
The facilities must accommodate 118 mandatory diagnostic tests.
Selected hospitals include Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, Jag Pravesh Chandra Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Satyawadi Raja Harish Chandra Hospital, Maharishi Valmiki Hospital, Acharya Shree Bhikshu Hospital, Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital, Ambedkar Nagar Hospital and Indira Gandhi Hospital.
IPHS standards require round-the-clock operations with three specialists, 10 laboratory technicians across shifts, apart from support staff.
An official said, "IPHL plays a vital role in supporting regular surveillance activities and investigating disease outbreaks. The vision is a reduction in mortality, morbidity and out-of-pocket expenditure by effectively preventing and controlling the diseases through rapid and reliable screening, early detection and laboratory diagnosis of communicable, non-communicable and other emerging diseases.
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IPHLs can process human clinical specimens and environmental samples during outbreaks, providing swift reporting. They offer diagnostic services, covering TB, HIV, malaria, viral hepatitis and conditions requiring biosafety level 2 laboratory conditions.
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