Latest news with #RDTs
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Rapid test kits for Hepatitis B, Sickle cell anemia to be available at PHCs, government decides
NEW DELHI: In a big move to ensure timely detection of common diseases like Hepatitis B, sickle cell anemia and syphilis at primary level, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has suggested that rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) to diagnose them should be available at rural health centres. This includes the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Sub-Centres and primary health centres. Sources said the move follows feedback received from national programs and other subject experts, who highlighted the growing importance of providing rapid diagnostic tools at primary health facilities for early detection and treatment. Many RDTs available in the market have not been included for the want of robust evidence. Officials said these tests can be reconsidered for inclusion in the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) once the required data is comprehensively assessed and verified, the officials said. The ICMR, which is the apex health research agency, released the NEDL in 2019 to set basic standards for availability of diagnostic facilities at health facilities in the country. Recently, it has been updated to include RDTs and other requirements. For example, the 2019 NEDL had kept certain diagnostic tests under the "hub-and-spoke" model at primary health centres (PHCs). A hub and spoke model in a laboratory setting is a healthcare delivery strategy where a central, well-equipped "hub" laboratory provides specialized diagnostic services, while smaller, less equipped "spoke" laboratories handle routine and less complex testing, with samples often transferred between the two. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo However, the updated equipment list which was released recently suggests these tests should be available at the PHCs itself. This will do away with the need for sample transfer to hubs thereby making it possible to diagnose and treat a wider array of conditions at the lower level, the ICMR says. The updated NEDL also addresses the issue of new nomenclature of healthcare facilities with Sub-Centres now referred to as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. The revision of the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) was undertaken through extensive engagement with a wide range of stakeholders. The process began with an open call on the ICMR website inviting suggestions on the existing Essential Diagnostics List. This was followed by four rounds of consultations to discuss the suggestions received with the relevant experts and stakeholders. Subsequently, the draft revised list was deliberated with representatives from State NHM and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The final list incorporated the feedback and recommendations received in all consultations, officials said.
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First Post
25-04-2025
- Health
- First Post
World Malaria Day: Why India's fight against malaria requires more than just medicine
India has made impressive progress in its bid to eliminate malaria. Reported cases have plummeted, mortality has fallen dramatically and global health agencies have lauded the country's public health push. But behind the numbers lies a far more complex story—one where misdiagnosis, treatment delays and neglected urban infrastructure continue to pose serious threats to the nation's malaria elimination goal. read more India has made remarkable progress in reducing its malaria burden, with official data showing an almost 80% decline in cases between 2015 and 2023. Figures from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveal that reported infections dropped from over 1.1 million in 2015 to approximately 227,000 last year. Malaria-related deaths have also seen a steep fall—from several hundred annually to just 83 in 2023. The World Health Organization commended India for sustaining its anti-malaria efforts even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health systems were stretched thin. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, despite the progress, health experts warn that complacency could derail the gains. Misdiagnosis and treatment delays continue to be major roadblocks in malaria control, particularly in rural and remote regions. They stress that early and accurate detection remains critical to preventing severe complications and halting transmission. While elimination may be within reach, experts say it will require continued investment, community awareness, and robust diagnostic infrastructure to truly put malaria behind us. One of the most pressing issues remains the timely and accurate diagnosis of the disease. While Rapid Diagnostic Tests (RDTs) and microscopy are the standard tools for detection, their use is often inconsistent, especially in under-resourced or unregulated healthcare settings. Timely, accurate diagnosis remains a major hurdle 'Testing is still patchy in many parts of the country. In remote and tribal areas, where malaria remains endemic, patients are often treated symptomatically without lab confirmation. Many cases are misclassified as viral fevers or not diagnosed at all. This diagnostic gap allows the disease to persist silently. Many new and fast tests are now available for easier malaria diagnosis, such as RDTs (card tests), and even some cell counters can indicate infected RBCs on their screens,' said Dr Sunita Kapoor, Director & Laboratory Head, City X-Ray and Scan Clinic Pvt. Ltd. 'Microscopy, still considered the gold standard for malaria diagnosis, remains underutilized due to a shortage of trained technicians and the lack of functional laboratory infrastructure, in many government-run facilities,' Dr Sunita added. At the community level, the problem often begins with a lack of awareness and the symptoms overlap with other common illnesses. Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and spread through the bite of infected Anopheles mosquitoes, often presents with symptoms similar to viral flu, typhoid or dengue, leading to frequent misdiagnoses. 'In rural and semi-urban settings, malaria isn't always the first suspect. People often self-medicate with paracetamol or antibiotics, and some even rely on herbal remedies. It's only when the fever persists or worsens that they seek a blood test, and by then, serious damage may already have begun,' said Dr Vikramjeet Singh, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Aakash Healthcare. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Neurological fallout of Malaria shock That delay can be dangerous. Doctors warn that in untreated cases, especially those involving Plasmodium falciparum, complications can escalate quickly. Once the parasite crosses a critical threshold, it begins to attack vital organs, including the brain. 'Malaria is not just a fever. In falciparum cases, even a delay of one or two days can be deadly,' said Dr Praveen Gupta, Principal Director and Chief of Neurology, Fortis Hospital. 'The infected red blood cells can clog small vessels in the brain, leading to swelling and inflammation. This can cause seizures, loss of consciousness, and in severe cases, coma. We refer to this as 'malaria shock'—a form of cerebral malaria where the neurological system collapses under parasitic and inflammatory assault,' Dr Praveen explained. According to Dr. Sunil Rana, Associate Director and Head- Internal Medicine, Asian Hospital, neurological symptoms are often the last and most dangerous sign. 'What starts as a low-grade fever can turn into a life-threatening emergency within days. The parasite count can double every 48 hours. Once it crosses a certain threshold, your organs begin to fail. We have seen patients who survive but are left with memory loss, impaired motor skills, or speech difficulties. In some cases, the damage is permanent. It's a reminder of how crucial early diagnosis and treatment are.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Urban blind spots While rural areas face challenges of access and awareness, urban India is grappling with a different but equally serious issue: infrastructure failure. Ironically, cities with relatively better healthcare systems are emerging as hotspots for malaria transmission, largely due to unchecked urban growth and poor civic planning. 'Urban slums are particularly vulnerable. Stagnant water from clogged drains and ongoing construction creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Municipal responses are usually reactive—limited fogging during the monsoon—but that's not enough to curb year-round transmission,' said Dr Mahendra Dadke, Consultant - General Medicine, Jupiter Hospital, Baner Pune. Experts stress that eliminating malaria from urban areas requires more than medical intervention but an integrated, cross-sector approach. Health departments, municipal bodies, and urban planners need to work together on sustained sanitation, better housing policies, and community awareness. 'There is no one-size-fits-all solution. Urban malaria needs a different strategy from rural interventions. Civic infrastructure, housing and sanitation must be part of the malaria elimination agenda,' added Dr Mahendra.
