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Free diagnostic service opened at North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital

By Correspondent

NORTH LAKHIMPUR, Jan 17: A free laboratory service under the Chief Minister�s Free Diagnostics Services Programme was inaugurated at the North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital here today to ensure availability of a minimum set of diagnostic services in government health institutions. The service was inaugurated by Lakhimpur MLA Utpal Dutta.

In his speech, Dutta said quality diagnosis is vital for medical practitioners to make effective decisions on treatment. Access to and availability of quality radiology and pathological services have been a key challenge for the healthcare system and expenditure on diagnostic tests was increasing for patients as it formed the second major segment of expenditure after medicines and drugs, he added.

Therefore, the free laboratory service under the Chief Minister�s Free Diagnostics Services Programme has been introduced for the welfare of the people, the MLA said. The service is being rendered by M/s HLL Lifecare Ltd under the public-private partnership mode with the Government of Assam.

The inaugural function was also attended by Barun Bhuyan, Deputy Commissioner of Lakhimpur, Dr Harpal Singh Suri, Joint Director of Health Services, Lakhimpur, Dr MN Bordoloi, Superintendent In-charge, North Lakhimpur Civil Hospital, and medical officers, National Health Mission officials and other staff of the Lakhimpur Health Department.

The laboratory service will be available free of cost to all through the �Hub� and �Spoke� model. The District Laboratory (Hub) has been set up in the North Lakhimpur Civil hospital as in the other districts. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment. Samples from all health institutions (Bihpuria BPHC, Dhalpur BPHC, Nawboicha BPHC, Boginadi BPHC, Ghilamora BPHC and Dhakuakhana BPHC) will be collected and transported to the District Laboratory (Hub). At the Hub, samples will be analysed and reports will be communicated (electronically as well as in hard copies) to the respective health institution. The patient will receive the report the following day.

The service will be available in the primary health centres very soon. The service also includes a normal case report within 24 hours and an emergency one within three hours. A total of 56 tests will be covered under the free laboratory service facility under the Chief Minister�s Free Diagnostic Services Programme.

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