The panel “Public–Private Partnerships in Diagnostics — Building Equitable & Scalable Access” brought together industry leaders to discuss how PPPs can expand high-quality diagnostic services to underserved populations in India. Moderated by Sanjay Jha, Founder of Apaan Medtech and former Board Member of HealthCube, the discussion explored the opportunities, challenges, and innovative approaches to integrating private expertise with government programs. Panelists highlighted successful models, such as TB programs in Mumbai and Pune, and stressed the importance of technology, real-time data monitoring, and continuous capacity building to ensure scalable, sustainable, and equitable healthcare access.
Puneet Gupta, Chief Operating Officer, POCT Services, said, “Partnerships with the government offer huge opportunities but come with unique challenges. You’re serving people at the base of the economy, where high-quality diagnostics are most needed.
The main hurdles are infrastructure—like electricity, internet, and pest control—and skilled manpower, as trained lab technicians are hard to find in rural areas. Our approach is proactive: we provide solutions first, then work with the government to scale. With the right planning, private labs can deliver quality diagnostics and truly serve “real India.”
Dr. Ajay Phadke, Director,Strategic Business Development, Agilus Diagnostics, stated, “Public–private partnerships (PPPs) have been around for a while, and they’re especially important when serving underserved populations. I want to share our experience with the TB program in Mumbai, which we ran with PATH.
When we talk about advanced diagnostics—like molecular testing, genomics, or histopathology—we’re dealing with tests beyond routine CBCs or hormone panels. For example, we implemented GeneXpert testing for TB starting in 2016, before XDR-TB testing was common in Mumbai. We processed 300–500 samples a day for almost five years. The clinicians treated patients at no cost, while PATH coordinated sample collection and delivery to our lab.
This collaboration with the government and BMC was seamless. Everyone was proactive, and we detected around 12% positive cases in the samples—significant in a city like Mumbai. Eventually, the program was handed over to BMC and continues to run successfully.
Data management was key. We maintained real-time lab data for the NGOs and government agencies, who conducted monthly audits. Payments and coordination were smooth, thanks to structured processes. This is a prime example of how PPPs can work effectively, delivering high-quality diagnostics to those who need it most.”
Dr. Sachin Gupte, Senior Advisor, PATH, emphasised, “Public-private partnerships (PPPs) were introduced to bridge gaps in public health—bringing technical expertise to underserved populations. One example is the National TB Elimination Program. Most TB patients went to public facilities, where early detection and treatment compliance were challenges. Through the PPIA (Public Private Interface Agency), we partnered with private labs, government, and funders like the Gates Foundation to integrate private partners into the system.
This model, which started in Pune, has now been scaled nationally and is part of the government’s TB elimination policy.
Sustainability and scalability rely on continuous capacity building and quality standards. Technology evolves rapidly—AI and other innovations require regular updates to policies, SOPs, and skills. We believe the people operating the technology are as important as the technology itself. Digital systems now allow real-time monitoring, ensuring PPP models function efficiently every day.”
Amit Gupta, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Credent Connect N Care (C3), said, To track performance in healthcare diagnostics, pre-analytics must be part of the clinical process—it should start from patient sample collection, not just when it reaches the lab. Key metrics include timely sample pickup, correct labeling, cold chain maintenance, error rates, and last-mile connectivity, especially in remote villages.
All this data should feed into a unified dashboard combining pre-analytical and analytical insights. This helps identify errors, implement corrections, and anticipate problems before they happen.
This is critical because India aims to grow into a $10–25 trillion economy by 2047–50. Healthcare, particularly diagnostics, must be standardized, measurable, and scalable to support this national ambition.“
