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In India’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, demanding timely testing in primary care, emergency settings and underserved regions is putting pressure on traditional laboratory models. The shift is accelerating the need for alternative diagnostic technologies that can perform efficiently across diverse and resource-limited environments.
According to Shivani Shah Kadu, national business manager, IVD, Healthcare Business, FUJIFILM India, dry chemistry-based Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) is a significant advancement providing high-quality diagnostics with minimal infrastructure, enabling faster clinical decision-making and wider reach. This is especially relevant in outpatient settings, critical care environments, and remote healthcare delivery models.
Our country continues to face a rising burden of both chronic and infectious diseases. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for a majority of mortality and require regular monitoring. At the same time, infectious diseases, seasonal and emerging, necessitate rapid identification and response, he added.
Yet, routine testing remains limited by infrastructure constraints. Traditional lab-based diagnostics often require water-dependent systems, cold storage for reagents, skilled personnel, and considerable turnaround time. It is here dry chemistry POCT is a practical option. It ensures consistent, accurate testing with reduced operational overheads, making it suitable, Kadu told Pharmabiz in an email.
Now dry chemistry POCT expands the reach of diagnostics by enabling deployment in healthcare settings that lack full laboratory infrastructure like primary health centres and mobile medical units to name a few. In these environments, timely testing is critical as it improves lab efficiency and faster clinical decision making. Automated analyzers simplify workflow, reduce manual steps, and minimize the risk of human error, he said.
By reducing sample-to-result time, dry chemistry systems increase operational efficiency and contribute to improved patient management. For diagnostic laboratories and hospital labs facing increasing caseloads, these systems help manage throughput without compromising result quality, he pointed out.
The technology’s independence from water and refrigeration reduces energy consumption and logistical complexity. Reagents are stable, have long shelf lives, and do not require temperature-controlled transport or storage, which reduces wastage and improves cost efficiency. Its analyzers are compact, user-friendly, and designed for easy connectivity. These are in sync with India’s ongoing efforts to digitize healthcare delivery through Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM). With appropriate integration, test results can be directly recorded into patient health records, enabling longitudinal tracking and continuity of care, he said.
For these systems to be effectively adopted at scale, training and operational support are essential. Standardized onboarding and capacity-building initiatives can ensure that healthcare workers use POCT technologies optimally and safely. Public and private collaboration in this area will be key to unlocking the full potential of decentralized diagnostics, he noted.
As the demand for early detection and regular monitoring increases, this technology offers a viable pathway to strengthen diagnostic readiness. By integrating such technologies into mainstream healthcare delivery, especially at the primary and secondary care levels, India can take a significant step towards timely intervention and improved health outcomes. Strengthening diagnostic capacity at the point of need is not just a matter of convenience but essential for effective, inclusive healthcare delivery, said Kadu.
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