Each laboratory will be capable of conducting 134 types of tests related to communicable and non-communicable diseases

The Andhra Pradesh government will establish 13 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) across the state to strengthen diagnostic services and disease surveillance, State Health, Medical and Family Welfare Minister Satyakumar Yadav said on Tuesday.

Each laboratory will be capable of conducting 134 types of tests related to communicable and non-communicable diseases. The facilities are aimed at improving early diagnosis, enhancing testing accuracy and ensuring faster availability of results, particularly for rural and semi-urban populations. The minister said the new IPHLs would significantly strengthen existing hospital laboratories through the use of modern automated systems. In addition to patients visiting area hospitals, samples will be referred from Primary Health Centres and nearby government hospitals, reducing the need for patients to travel long distances for advanced diagnostic services.

The laboratories are designed to function as multi-departmental support units, facilitating coordination among the Health Department and allied departments such as Animal Husbandry, Irrigation, Environment, Climate Change and Forests, particularly during outbreaks of infectious diseases.

Construction has been largely completed at area hospitals in Seethampeta in Parvathipuram Manyam district, Guntakal in Anantapur district, Palamaner in Chittoor district, Araku in Alluri Sitarama Raju district, Narasaraopet in Palnadu district, Aganampudi in Visakhapatnam district, Banaganapalle in Nandyal district, Chirala in Bapatla district, Nandigama in NTR district and Jangareddygudem in Eluru district.

Similarly, work is progressing rapidly at hospitals in Tuni in Kakinada district, Gudur in Nellore district and Anaparthi in East Godavari district. At select centres, including Jangareddygudem, diagnostic testing has already begun using the equipment supplied.

The IPHLs will offer testing in microbiology, hematology, clinical biochemistry, clinical pathology and molecular biology. Key investigations will include cardiac markers, cancer markers, iron studies, hormone and vitamin tests, along with water-quality analysis to detect contamination at micro levels. High-end equipment such as Class-II biosafety cabinets, five-part automated cell counters, fully automated biochemistry analysers, hormone analysers, electrolyte analysers and microtomes will be installed. The laboratories will also support national health programmes through testing for HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), the government has allocated Rs 1.25 crore for each laboratory. A total of Rs 16.25 crore has been spent on establishing the 13 IPHLs, the minister said.