Timely and quality diagnostic services have long been beyond the reach of millions in tier II and tier III cities across the country. Unlike high-end labs and modern imaging machines in metro cities, smaller towns either have basic pathology labs, face an crushing load on government hospitals, or require long-distance travel to get their diagnostic tests done. This has resulted in the ever-increasing burden of delayed diagnosis and treatment-related expenses to patients.
A change is, however, afoot. The advent of rapid diagnostic test (RDT) kits is slowly but surely reshaping health care delivery in India's smaller towns. These are simple portable tools that allow for quick detection of diseases, even in areas where full-fledged laboratories don't exist.
Why Do Diagnostics Matter?
Diagnostics bring patients one step closer to treatment. They assist doctors to treat conditions like: malaria, typhoid, blood sugar, and chronic diseases. Without testing options in tier II and III cities, accurate testing has often meant guessing symptoms or waiting days for results from distant labs. Too many times, this delay was a bane to health, resulting in accelerated complications and avoidable aggravated conditions.
How Rapid Test Kits Are Changing the Game?
The emergence of rapid diagnostic test kits is making healthcare immediate, inclusive, and efficient. These kits typically work using an immunochromatographic principle, where a sample such as blood, urine, or saliva interacts with antibodies fixed on a test strip. A color change or movement of a marker will indicate the presence or absence of a certain disease or condition within minutes.
Rapid test kits are compact, inexpensive, and simple to use. They mostly take anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes for results. They do not rely on expensive machines or highly-trained technicians, just basic training in a clean environment. They are, therefore, very suited to be used in community health centers, mobile clinics, or even door-to-door screening programs.
For instance, RDTs for malaria, dengue, COVID-19, and hepatitis have already assisted in early case identification, particularly in outbreak situations. Likewise, pregnancy tests, glucose strips, and cholesterol kits are increasingly enabling patients to monitor their health on a routine basis, without having to wait for lab reports.
Infrastructure Gaps- How to Manage It?
Many small towns still lack advanced diagnostics such as CT scan, MRI machines, or molecular testing facilities. Where such basic labs are available, the QA and accuracy of these results differ due to old equipment or different standards.
Rapid tests fill a very important gap in these situations. They decentralize diagnostics and diminish dependency on big hospitals or cities. Health workers can now test patients on the spot, get fast results, initiate immediate treatment, or refer the patient for further care when required.
Role of Technology
Technology is further enhancing the reach of rapid diagnostics. Digital platforms are helping collect and store test results, tele-diagnostics are enabling remote consultations, and AI-based tools are starting to support test interpretation.
Even in towns without strong internet, mobile apps and offline tools are making it easier to track health trends and ensure follow-up care.
Utilizing rapid tests properly needs some training. Health workers need knowledge on how to handle kits, interpret results, and keep the kits hygienic. In many States and organizations, training programs are ongoing for lab assistants, nurses, and community health workers.
Rapid test kits, while a reputable advancement, have their hurdles.
Many small diagnostic centers still lack standardization, affecting test quality and not all rapid tests have been designed equally in terms of accuracy. Ensuring quality, standardization, and affordability will be dominant if these tools are regarded for large scale implementation.
Authored By: Dhiren Trambadia, Vice President, Trivitron Healthcare