Mumbai: Maharashtra’s national free laboratory diagnostic service program ‘Mahalabs’ has been one of the most successful free laboratory diagnostic service programs in India. This program is being implemented by HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL) on behalf of the Government of Maharashtra. Under this program various diagnostic services from basic laboratory tests to advanced and specialized tests are provided completely free to patients in more than 3,500 public health institutions in the state, enabling timely diagnosis and treatment..(Photo Courtesy – Social Media)

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So far more than 7.6 crore patients have benefited from Mahalabs programme. On an average, more than 45,000 patients are availing free laboratory diagnostic services under this program every day. Specialty tests offered under Mahalabs include histopathology, molecular biology (RT-PCR), microbiology, Hb electrophoresis and newborn screening. According to officials associated with the program, Mahalabs laboratories are among the most testing laboratories in the country in the areas of newborn screening, Hb electrophoresis, viral load tests and hematology.

This program, which started in 2017 with one laboratory in Pune, has now expanded to 137 laboratories across Maharashtra. Of these, seven laboratories at Kharghar, Nagpur (2 laboratories), Nashik, Pune, Ratnagiri and Gadchiroli have received NABL accreditation, while the laboratory at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai has received accreditation from the College of American Pathologists (CAP).
Government of Maharashtra has included several National Health Schemes in Mahalabs for timely diagnosis, management and eradication of diseases. These include National Child Health Programme, National Sickle Cell Anemia Eradication Campaign, National Viral Hepatitis Control Program and Janani Shishu Suraksha Program. Consolidation of these schemes has strengthened screening and diagnostic services in line with national health priorities.
The program is implemented through a sophisticated and technology driven system. Trained phlebotomists collect samples at primary health centers, hospitals, and other public health institutions after a physician recommends the test. Samples are barcoded and digitally registered through a mobile application.

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Collected samples are safely stored in cold boxes and sent to respective laboratories at controlled temperature. Samples from government health institutions (spokes) are sent to different types of laboratories (hubs) for testing. These laboratories are equipped with fully automated machinery and linked with software systems for fast and accurate testing. All diagnostic procedures are strictly monitored by a central quality assurance team.

Examination reports are verified by qualified pathologists and experts. Reports are sent digitally to patients and health institutions through SMS, WhatsApp, doctor portals and e-mail, and hard copies are also made available later. Through this system Mahalabs is ensuring accurate, timely and completely free diagnostic services across Maharashtra.