The Chennai Corporation will soon provide semi-auto analysers at 70 of its 72 health centres in the city, said Commissioner Rajesh Lakhoni.
The total cost of the new project was Rs.35 lakh, with each piece costing around Rs.40,000, Mr. Lakhoni said.
At present, the analysers are available at six diagnostic laboratories in Saidapet, Perambur, EVR Salai, Thiruvanmiyur, Purasawalkam and Valluvar Kottam. Each laboratory receives around 80 to 100 patients a day, according to Corporation officials.
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The analyser is useful in testing routine blood samples collected from the doorsteps of the residents. The routine tests include testing for blood sugar, cholesterol, blood urea, Creatinine, uric acid, lipid profile and liver function.
Health Officer P. Kuganantham said the cost for testing is a fourth of what is charged by private laboratories in the city. Blood samples are picked up from the doorstep for a charge of Rs.15. Persons requiring this facility may call 1913.
At present the diagnostic laboratories provide testing facilities such as ECG, X-ray and ultrasound. Testing is done routinely for dengue and leptospirosis whereas advanced methods are used to test for malaria, Dr. Kuganantham added. Swabs for suspected swine flu infection are taken and sent to the King Institute, Guindy, he said.
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At select health facilities, tests for thyroid function, breast cancer screening and bone density are done.