AP to roll out 13 integrated public health labs at area hospitals
In a major step to strengthen diagnostic services in rural Andhra Pradesh, the State government is setting up 13 Integrated Public Health Laboratories at Area Hospitals. Most of them are expected to become operational by March or April.
Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav said on Tuesday that the new facilities will improve access to quality testing for both communicable and non-communicable diseases in underserved regions.
The laboratories will be able to conduct 134 types of tests. They are being established under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission for Rs 16.25 crore. All essential equipment for sample testing is being put in place.
The labs are equipped with Class II Biological Safety Cabinets, an automated five-part cell counter, an automated hormone analyser, a semi-automated biochemistry analyser, an electrolyte analyser, and a microtome. These systems will also support sample collection for national health programmes related to HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis.
Mr. Yadav said the integrated labs will help identify diseases and assess their severity quickly. This will be particularly useful during outbreaks that require coordination among departments.
Construction is almost complete at Area Hospitals in Seethampeta (Parvathipuram Manyam), Guntakal (Anantapur), Palamaner (Chittoor), Araku (Alluri Sitarama Raju), Narasaraopet (Palnadu), Aganampudi (Visakhapatnam), Banaganapalle (Nandyal), Chirala (Bapatla), Nandigama (NTR), and Jangareddygudem (Eluru).
Work is under way at hospitals in Tuni (Kakinada), Gudur (Nellore), and Anaparthi (East Godavari). At Jangareddygudem, medical staff have already begun testing samples.
The Minister said the labs will offer services in microbiology, haematology, clinical biochemistry, clinical pathology, and molecular biology. Tests for cardiac markers, cancer markers, iron studies, hormones, and vitamins will also be available. Water samples can also be tested to assess contamination levels.