‘It is important that there are policies that uphold basic minimal quality in lab operations’

The next PM ‘s agenda should take the following factors under consideration:

Quality diagnostics services

It is important that in the coming five year plan and budget the government makes provisions for empowering institutions like NABL which can lay the pathway for quality diagnostics. It is important that there are policies that uphold basic minimal quality in lab operations and ensure that people have access to quality diagnostics. The guidelines should also direct the opening and running of a pathology lab. Today, anyone can open a lab with a simple shop act license. This laxity in policy is almost like equating a lab to any other shop selling confectionaries, or clothes. It is important to recognise the importance of lab testing.

Mandatory accreditation

In India, any kind of test can be launched and marketed, whether or not it has proven scientific accuracy. We have many rapid or card tests, which don’t offer the desired accuracy but definitely are cheaper options. Such tests are also introduced for diseases like dengue and TB. These tests, with their lack of accuracy cost us both lives and money. In the pharma industry if a company needs to launch a drug there exist extremely stringent procedures. There are no such laws for newer tests, reagents or machines; which can keep inaccurate tests and results at bay.

From the perspective of preventive healthcare a large number of diseases can be prevented only with early detection. Early detection in many cases actually means a lab test, for example PAP smear for cervical cancer, CA 125 for breast and ovarian cancers, vitamin D and calcium tests for bone health, PSA for prostate cancer; and the list goes on. Unfortunately, when we talk of preventive healthcare, we only say, “Do the test” and not, “Do a quality test.” It is very important that especially in cases of preventive tests which have the potential to save millions of lives; strong quality norms are laid down and accreditations are made compulsory. These tests could be prioritised in accordance to the disease burden. These tests should be able to define the right reagents, methodology, testing platform, QA maintenance and reporting format. Unless we don’t take these steps, our vision to make preventive healthcare the mainstay for reducing disease burden and mortality would be far from realisation.

If these changes are to be undertaken for India; it is important that healthcare gets a more holistic voice in the policy process and truly represents the voice of the industry.

– Ameera Shah, CEO & MD, Metropolis Healthcare