ICMR recommends HemoQR, low-cost anaemia screening tool

Kolkata: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recommended a new low-cost anaemia screening tool developed at IIT Kharagpur, providing a simple and rapid way to check haemoglobin levels without bulky machines, an institute spokesperson said on Monday.   

Called HemoQR, the portable kit, developed by SmartQR Technologies under the mentorship of IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty, uses a drop of blood from a finger prick, news agency PTI reported.

The sample is placed on a special paper strip, and a smartphone camera scans it to estimate haemoglobin levels within minutes.

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In simple terms, this means doctors or health workers can quickly check for anaemia, even in remote areas, without needing laboratory equipment. 

The device has been tested at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital and found suitable for initial anaemia screening in hospitals as well as in the broader diagnostic process.

"This is a step towards affordable and accessible healthcare. HemoQR shows how technology can directly help tackle widespread problems like anaemia," Chakraborty said.

The recommendation is expected to support government initiatives such as the 'Anaemia Mukt Bhara't and the National Health Mission, which aim to reduce anaemia across the country through early detection and treatment.

Officials said the tool could be widely used in both hospitals and community health camps, helping identify patients faster and start treatment sooner.

The development highlights IIT Kharagpur's focus on creating practical, low-cost healthcare solutions with real-world impact, particularly as India looks to strengthen its public health systems.  

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that the National Institute of One Health (NIOH), Nagpur, under the Department of Health Research (DHR), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, in collaboration with the ICMR-RMRC, Bhubaneswar organized a two-day national workshop titled ''Operational Frameworks for One Health: National vision and state action''.  

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