Roche Diagnostics India, part of Swiss healthcare giant Roche, is keen on partnering the Tamil Nadu Government in the area of preventive healthcare, starting with blood screening.
Indicating this, Shravan Subramanyam, managing director, India and neighbouring markets, Roche Diagnostics, said Roche Diagnostics was willing to make available its advanced NAT (nucleic acid testing) solutions to the people of the State.
“Quality diagnostics is the key to a robust preventive healthcare plan in the long term,” said Dr. Subramanyam.
“NAT-tested blood is globally accepted as the safest form of blood as it detects even window period infections of deadly viruses such as HIV, HBV and HCV,” he said.
“These infections not only cost the patient heavy by way of treatment expenditure but also impact their productivity and earning capability. However, with NAT not being a mandated test, it is available in only select hospitals and blood banks,’’ he said.
Roche Diagnostics India, he felt, could step in to rectify this situation through a partnership with the State government.
Pointing out that the Union Government, in its National Health Policy 2017, had highlighted preventive healthcare as one of its core focus areas, he said diagnostics enabled laboratories to be reliable partners for healthcare professionals. “It empowers doctors to make the right decisions for their patients at the right time. Also, it allows people to have improved control over their health and well-being,” said Dr. Subramanyam. More than all these, it gives players and policymakers the confidence that they are investing in the right solutions for patients and in the future of healthcare,’’ he said.
To a question, he said healthcare spends were largely borne by the patient. “Modern diagnostics-supported preventive healthcare is important as it reduces costs by diminishing subsequent health problems and reducing hospitalisation,’’ he added.
