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News Topical, Digital Desk : Chhattisgarh has achieved another historic milestone in the quality of healthcare services. The Integrated Public Health Lab (IPHL) at District Hospital Pandri Raipur and District Hospital Baloda Bazar have received national-level quality certification under the National Quality Assurance Program (NQAS) of the Government of India. The IPHL at Pandri Raipur became the first lab in the country, while the IPHL at Baloda Bazar became the second certified lab in the country and the state. This achievement attests to the expansion of quality healthcare services in Chhattisgarh and the strengthening of lab facilities based on scientific standards.
As a direct result of the Chhattisgarh government's continued efforts to strengthen health services in the state, a total of 832 health institutions in the state were evaluated and certified based on national standards between January 2024 and November 2025. These include health centers in remote areas like Chintagufa in Dantewada. It is noteworthy that this is the first time in the country that such a large and systematic chain of laboratories has been evaluated and certified in a state, giving Chhattisgarh a unique position at the national level.
Both labs were evaluated by teams of expert evaluators nominated by the Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, New Delhi. The IPHL at Pandri Raipur was evaluated on September 10, 2025, while the IPHL at Balodabazar was evaluated on September 11, 2025. Both teams thoroughly reviewed the labs' functioning, patient-centered services, quality control, timely reporting, and safety procedures. Following the evaluation, the Pandri Raipur IPHL received certification with a score of 90%, and the Balodabazar IPHL received certification with a score of 88%. These scores fall in the excellent category under the national standards of healthcare quality.
The concept of an Integrated Public Health Lab is fundamentally aimed at ensuring patients have access to a comprehensive range of pathology, biochemistry, and microbiology testing facilities under one roof. This not only increases the speed and reliability of testing, but also relieves people of unnecessary dependence on expensive private testing labs. This integrated model provides patients with affordable and accurate testing reports at a single location.
IPHL in Pandri, Raipur, has become a model laboratory for the entire state. It conducts over 3,000 tests daily and offers over 120 types of testing services. Operating on a hub-and-spoke model, the lab also tests samples received from various community health centers and primary health centers in Raipur district. In emergency situations, the lab has also processed samples from medical colleges and other districts, demonstrating its capacity and utility.
IPHL in Balodabazar is also a rapidly emerging lab in terms of service quality. It performs 1,000 to 1,200 tests daily and offers over 100 types of lab testing. The lab's state-of-the-art equipment, trained technicians, and timely reporting are providing great relief to thousands of patients in the district. Patients from rural and tribal areas no longer need to travel to cities or private labs for testing.
The Pandri Raipur IPHL model has previously been recognized nationally by the Ministry of Health. Teams from more than 13 states have visited the lab and observed its functioning. Furthermore, a photo of the Raipur IPHL has been published on the cover page of the detailed guidelines for Integrated Public Health Labs issued by the Government of India. This model has been adopted as a guide for the IPHL network being established across the country under PM-ABHIM.
This quality-based assessment process in Chhattisgarh is not limited to certification alone, but is a concrete step towards sustainable improvement of the healthcare system. NQAS standards mandate strict adherence to aspects such as cleanliness, safety, patient satisfaction, record management, technical quality, equipment calibration, biomedical waste management, and staff capacity building. Both labs achieved this distinction by demonstrating excellent performance on all these parameters.
Commissioner and Director Dr. Priyanka Shukla stated that the NQAS program is a crucial initiative of the Government of India to institutionalize quality improvement in government hospitals. The program's prescribed checklist is comprehensive, and certification is granted only when an institution demonstrates sustained excellence across all parameters. The efficiency and discipline with which both IPHL labs in Chhattisgarh met all criteria demonstrates the strength and commitment of the state's healthcare system.
He stated that in Chhattisgarh, special attention is being paid to expanding healthcare services as well as improving quality. Lab technicians, physicians, and management teams have worked with great dedication and diligence in this process. The achievements of Pandri Raipur and Balodabazar IPHLs are inspiring for the entire state, and this model will be implemented with vigor in other districts of Chhattisgarh in the future.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai and Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal extended their heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to the IPHL teams—physicians, technicians, and staff—of both district hospitals on this historic achievement. The Chief Minister said that quality healthcare is a top priority for the Chhattisgarh government, and the national certification of IPHLs has given new credibility and strength to the state's healthcare system.
The Chief Minister also stated that the state government is equipping primary and secondary health facilities with modern equipment and trained human resources. High-quality labs like IPHL are playing a vital role in ensuring timely health checkups in rural, tribal, and backward areas. District hospitals and major health institutions across the state will be upgraded using this model in the coming years.
This achievement is not only a validation of Chhattisgarh's health system, but also a signal that the state is now moving towards quality-focused health management in line with national standards. The expansion of the IPHL model will make patient testing services more accessible, faster, and reliable. This will directly benefit millions of citizens and significantly improve the state's health indicators. The success of both IPHL labs proves that when scientific standards, trained human resources, modern technology, and strong government will converge, revolutionary changes in healthcare are possible. This achievement is an inspiring model not only for Chhattisgarh but for the entire country and will set new standards for improving health quality in the future.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai said, "Congratulations to the entire team of the Health Department on the Integrated Public Health Labs of Pandri, Raipur and Balodabazar districts becoming the first and second quality certified IPHLs in the country. This achievement is a testimony to the comprehensive, scientific and structural reforms taking place in Chhattisgarh's health system. Quality healthcare is a top priority for our government, and this national-level certification has given new credibility and strength to the state's health system. The IPHL model has paved the way for providing reliable diagnostic services to rural, tribal and remote areas, and in the coming time, all district hospitals in the state will be upgraded to a modern, efficient and standardized model."
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