The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made significant strides in the diagnosis of genetic blood disorders by developing affordable point-of-care (POC) test kits for conditions such as Haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease (VWD), and sickle cell disease (SCD).

The introduction of multiple indigenous POC tests marks a crucial advancement in combating genetic blood disorders in India.

Haemophilia A affects approximately 136,000 individuals in India, yet many remain undiagnosed due to the prohibitive costs associated with testing.

VWD has a prevalence of about 1 in 12,000 in certain regions, while sickle cell disease is particularly prevalent among the tribal population, accounting for 57% of cases.

ICMR has validated 30 different diagnostic kits for sickle cell disease, which include both simple on-the-spot tests and more complex lab-based tests, to enhance national screening efforts targeting a population of 7 crore.

These POC tests are being integrated into national health programs at primary health centers across various states, aiming to improve early detection and treatment of bleeding disorders.

The newly developed POC test kit is priced at Rs 582 per patient, significantly lower than existing lab-based tests, which cost Rs 2,086, and could potentially uncover over 83,000 undiagnosed cases.

ICMR's analysis indicates that POC tests for sickle cell disease are cost-effective at Rs 100 per test or below, with new kits now available for under Rs 50.

The World Federation for Hemophilia has expressed interest in procuring these tests for deployment in countries where these diseases are prevalent.

ICMR's initiative could save the health system around Rs 42 crore, making it a cost-effective solution for early diagnosis and treatment.

Dr. Manisha Madkaikar, Director of ICMR-Centre for Research, Management, and Control of Haemoglobinopathies, highlighted the pride in having developed multiple indigenous tests for blood disorders.