Latest news with #IPHL
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Govt to establish 10 integrated public health labs in capital
New Delhi: Delhi govt has initiated steps to establish 10 integrated public health laboratories (IPHLs) across the city to enhance diagnostic support at the primary healthcare level. 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. You Can Also Check: Delhi AQI | Weather in Delhi | Bank Holidays in Delhi | Public Holidays in Delhi 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. " 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.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Raj health dept gears up for bio threats amid Indo-Pak tensions
Jaipur: In response to escalating tensions along the Indo-Pakistan border following the recent Pahalgam terror attack, the Rajasthan health department has launched emergency preparedness measures aimed at countering potential biological warfare threats. This unprecedented initiative seeks to develop a comprehensive biological emergency action plan for the state. Dr Ravi Prakash Sharma, director of public health for the Rajasthan health department, emphasised the necessity of remaining vigilant against biological threats that could be exploited in warfare and terrorist attacks. "We are preparing for it and developing a biological emergency action plan for the state," he said Monday, highlighting the devastating potential of biological agents, akin to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time, the health department is formulating a strategy specifically focused on addressing biological emergencies at a time when tension between the two countries is rising. A draft crisis management plan is currently under preparation, with input being solicited from various govt departments before finalising the details. In the case of biological warfare, an act of bioterrorism, or any other biological disaster, the role of the health department becomes crucial. To enhance its preparedness, health officials plan to significantly bolster the capabilities of diagnostic laboratories. This involves strengthening Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL) and Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) across the state. In order to effectively detect, investigate, prevent and combat biological emergencies, the disease surveillance system will be improved through the establishment of a robust network of laboratories at both the block and district levels. With Rajasthan's proximity to Pakistan, the health department has historically implemented measures to prevent the spread of diseases such as polio, which remains a threat given that Pakistan continues to report cases. Dr Raghuraj Singh, project director for vaccination at the health department, said that during events like the Ajmer Urs, health authorities administer polio drops to pilgrims arriving from Pakistan. "We take these precautions seriously to ensure the safety of our state," Singh added. As health officials turn their attention to the looming threat of bioterrorism and biowarfare, experts warn that potential biological agents such as anthrax, plague, smallpox and botulism could lead to significant morbidity and mortality. To combat this, the health department plans to train doctors and laboratory personnel to recognise and report any unusual trends in diseases that could signal a bioterrorism-related incident.
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
11 Delhi hospitals to get integrated public health laboratories
New Delhi: The Delhi health department has selected 11 hospitals across 11 districts to establish integrated public health laboratories (IPHL). These labs will support primary health centres and sub-centres in their respective districts. The diagnostic services will start three months after these get approval from senior authorities regarding the proposed hospital selections, according to a senior official. A health official explained that the laboratories will offer comprehensive diagnostic services, including pathological, biochemical and haematological tests. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse The facilities will examine blood samples and other body fluids to detect and monitor diseases. Haematology will examine blood disorders, biochemistry will evaluate fluid components, and pathology will study tissue samples. The equipment procurement will align with specific requirements. Essential devices required according to the 2021 integrated public health laboratories guidelines include automated coagulometer, automated ESR analyser, centrifuge, binocular microscope, fluorescent microscope, real-time PCR machine, and automated blood culture equipment. As district hospitals currently own various testing devices, existing infrastructure will be utilised before purchasing new equipment, the health official said. The proposed district hospitals for IPHL establishment include Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in east, Maharishi Valmiki Hospital in north, Guru Gobind Singh Govt Hospital in west, Pt Madan Mohan Malaviya Hospital in south, Ambedkar Nagar Hospital in south-east, Indira Gandhi Hospital in south-west, and Rajiv Gandhi Super Specialty Hospital in Shahdara. The minimum staffing requirement for 24/7 integrated district hospital laboratory operations as per IPHS includes three specialists (pathologist, microbiologist, and biochemist), 11 laboratory technicians across three shifts, plus data entry operators, cleaning staff, housekeeping, and security personnel. The official said, "The integrated public health laboratory (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 (OOPE) 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." Officials indicated that integrating laboratory services is crucial for maximising efficiency, avoiding resource duplication, improving patient care, and enabling multi-disease testing capabilities. This strategy ensures preparedness for emerging health challenges. Furthermore, IPHL can analyse human clinical specimens and environmental samples from water, food, and air during outbreaks, providing immediate reporting within public health surveillance systems. The facility also offers diagnostic services for communicable and non-communicable diseases, including tests for national programmes covering TB, HIV, malaria, viral hepatitis, and other conditions requiring biosafety level 2 laboratory conditions. The collected samples typically fall into two categories: blood and compartmental specimens (nasal, sputum, saliva, urine, etc.). The transportation methods vary based on sample type and required testing.
