Point-Of-Care Testing Paves The Way For Anemia Eradication

In India, anaemia affects 50% of the total population, of which 80-90% are pre-school children, adolescent girls and pregnant women.  A major problem in several countries, it’s recognised to be one of the most serious public health concerns. 

More prevalent among children and women of reproductive age, this disorder can lead to a variety of ailments in the long run.

In order to treat anaemia as early as possible, simple and robust methods of diagnosis are essential.

Point-of-Care Testing  (POCT) is the silver lining in the sphere of diagnostics. In a short span of time, it has gained recognition as an effective tool to assess anaemia and strengthen the diagnostic capacity of India’s healthcare system and ensure improved healthcare delivery.

POCT does not require permanent a dedicated space and is performed outside clinical laboratories. It facilitates faster diagnosis and quicker treatment, and in turn, improves the outcomes of anaemia eradication programmes.

“The solution to the ever-increasing burden of anaemia is access to accurate anaemia screening tools and monitoring of those at risk. Early detection of anaemia has the potential to mitigate the long-term consequences of the disorder,” says Dr Hema Divakar, Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI).

Some of the advantages of POCT devices include minimal turnaround time, less sample volume, battery-operated instruments, convenience for clinicians, and rapid data availability. 

It’s important to rely on robust and accurate methods for anaemia screening. Inaccurate methods may deliver incorrect measurements, leading to wrong diagnosis and consequent compromise of patient’s health. Additionally, if the device supports real-time statistical analysis, it saves time and money.