PPP model to be promoted for diagnostic facilities for poor: Union Health Minister

New Delhi [India], Nov.15 (ANI): Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri JP Nadda today urged Private sector to join hands with government's Public Private Partnership (PPP) model for three areas- Prime Minister Dialysis Scheme, Free Diagnostics facilities to rural people and strengthening of National Institute of Pathology. Inaugurating a Scientific Symposium, organized by Dr Lal PathLabs to mark the 100th Birth Anniversary of its Founder, Dr (Maj) SK Lal, ShriNadda said, "The government is committed to take PM Dialysis Yojna to district level for free facility for BPL and 400 centres proposals on the PPP model from states have been approved. The government cannot do it alone and reputable & leading private players like Dr Lal PathLabs need to come together." Appreciating Dr Lal PathLabs's immense contribution in the field of laboratory medicine, Union Health Minister said, "The government will provide full support to private players which have expertise, brand & credibility and can provide quality & affordable facilities to a large number of people." "PPP model would bring in great help to people of rural areas where Primary Healthcare Centres would have world class diagnostic facilities which would be free for BPL and affordable for APL & other categories. Government of India stands committed in this regard but due to lack of infrastructure the government healthcare units alone would not be able to cater the need," he added. To address the challenges of laboratory medicine in the country, Dr Lal PathLabs, the oldest and most reputed laboratory in India, organised a two-day Scientific Symposium which marks the 100th Birth Anniversary of its Founder, Dr (Maj) SK Lal. The two-day Dr (Maj) SK Lal Centenary Symposium kicked off today. Dr Lal PathLabs is commemorating the milestone with a global symposium on a variety of Pathology related topics with a view to sharing the latest trends in Laboratory Medicine with experts in the field and other healthcare specialists. The symposium brought together researchers from around the world to share their latest and path-breaking findings in the ever emerging field of pathology. On this occasion, (Hony) Brig Dr Arvind Lal, Chairman & Managing Director of Dr Lal PathLabs said, "On this historic day of my father's centenary celebrations, I wish to thank all my patients, clients and investors for their continued support which has made Dr Lal PathLabs the most sought after brand in the field of Laboratory Medicine. We have reached this far by adhering to the highest standards of quality, service and ethics." "Today, we dedicate ourselves to strengthen our Research and Development (R&D) division to introduce low cost high-end tests for the economically weaker sections of our society and make them available to all our countrymen all over India," he added. During inaugural session, Lt Gen M K Unni, AVSM, VSM, PHS, Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) and Dr Soumya Swaminathan, DG, ICMR also highlighted the challenges and the way forward for Pathology in India. They also stressed upon capacity building, new technologies & innovations to reduce laboratory expenses and improving patients care through integration. During the sessions eminent national and international researchers, specialists and academia deliberated on topics related to Renal and Transplantation Pathology, Liquid Biopsies, Acute Leukemias and HSCT, newer innovations in Microbiology, Lab Management and Point of Care Testing, Diagnostics in Reproductive Genetics, Neuro Technology Advances in Diagnostics and Clinical Practice etc. Experts also focused on Laboratory Medicine as it is at the cusp of a great change. Laboratory Medicine stands to innovate itself with the emerging needs of healthcare. Speakers were of the view that accurate diagnosis is going to be the hallmark of Universal Healthcare, a goal acknowledged by the Govt of India and accepted globally. They said that it must be remembered that 70% of all clinical and medical decisions are made on the basis of pathology test reports. Laboratories in India have come off age with nearly 730 Pathology Labs being accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) and nearly 40 labs in India being given international accreditation by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Dr Lal PathLabs is the leading diagnostic chain in India that is trusted by millions of our countrymen. They have built a national network entailing state-of-the-art pathology facilities including the internationally acclaimed National Reference Laboratory at Rohini, New Delhi. The pathology behemoth operates 175 laboratories, 1,600 sample collection centres and over 5,000 pickup points spreading all over the country. Last year they tested more than 1.24Crore patients and on a single day more than 50,000 patients get their tests done by them. They offer the largest test menu of over 3,370 diagnostic tests and panels and strive to give the best quality services to their patients to alleviate their suffering and improving their health.(ANI)