Raipur, November 20, 2025: In a significant milestone for public health in Chhattisgarh, the integrated public health laboratories (IPHLs) of two district hospitals—Pandri in Raipur and Balodabazar—have been awarded national quality certification under the Union government’s National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS). The recognition highlights the state’s progress in ensuring scientific, reliable, and high-quality diagnostic services across its public health network.
Dr. Priyanka Shukla, the commissioner-cum-director of Chhattisgarh Health Services, announced the achievement on Thursday, noting that the Pandri IPHL has become the first quality-certified integrated public health lab in the country. Meanwhile, the Balodabazar district hospital’s IPHL has also successfully secured the certification, underscoring the state’s commitment to elevating healthcare standards.
Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal congratulated the doctors, laboratory technicians, and staff of both IPHLs for this accomplishment. Sai emphasized that the achievement reflects the broad, structural, and scientific reforms being implemented across Chhattisgarh’s health system. “Quality healthcare is our government’s highest priority, and this national certification has strengthened the credibility and resilience of our public health services,” he said.
The certification process, carried out between January 2024 and November 2025, assessed 832 health institutions across the state, encompassing both urban and remote regions, including the most inaccessible areas such as Chintagufa in Sukma. The exercise was part of a nationwide initiative by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to standardize diagnostic services and ensure consistent quality across the public health network. Expert assessors nominated by the ministry conducted the evaluations, focusing on parameters such as patient-centered services, quality control measures, workflow efficiency, safety protocols, documentation practices, and timely reporting.
The Pandri IPHL emerged as the top performer, achieving an impressive 90 percent score and securing the “excellent” category under NQAS standards. The Balodabazar IPHL also performed exceptionally well, earning an 88 percent score, firmly placing it in the “excellent” bracket. These scores reflect the laboratories’ adherence to the highest standards in healthcare service delivery, technical competency, and operational efficiency.
The Pandri IPHL has set a benchmark for the state and the nation. With the capacity to conduct over 3,000 diagnostic tests daily and offering more than 120 types of services, the lab has become a model for other facilities. Its practices and operational protocols have drawn attention from teams representing more than 13 states, who have visited Pandri to study its functioning and integrate best practices into their own laboratories. Additionally, the Centre has featured an image of the Raipur IPHL on the cover page of its comprehensive guidelines for establishing IPHLs nationwide under the PM ABHIM initiative, formally recognizing it as a model facility for replication across the country.
The Balodabazar IPHL is also rapidly establishing itself as a critical diagnostic hub in Chhattisgarh. Performing between 1,000 and 1,200 tests daily, it offers over 100 types of diagnostic services and has demonstrated exceptional adherence to NQAS standards. Its performance highlights the state’s efforts to expand high-quality, accessible diagnostic facilities beyond urban centers and ensure timely healthcare interventions for rural populations.
The NQAS certification is a rigorous benchmark that evaluates several key aspects of laboratory functioning. These include cleanliness and hygiene, patient satisfaction, adherence to safety protocols, equipment calibration, biomedical waste management, record-keeping, technical quality, and staff capacity building. Both the Pandri and Balodabazar IPHLs have excelled across all these criteria, reflecting a holistic approach to quality assurance in public health laboratories.
Dr. Shukla emphasized that the recognition is not merely symbolic but reflects tangible improvements in laboratory services. “Achieving NQAS certification is a result of meticulous planning, continuous monitoring, and capacity-building initiatives that ensure our labs are not only technically competent but also patient-friendly and operationally efficient,” she said. She added that these standards will now serve as a model for other district hospitals in Chhattisgarh and across India, promoting a culture of excellence in public health diagnostics.
The certification of these two IPHLs comes at a crucial time when public health laboratories are increasingly recognized as frontline institutions in disease detection, outbreak management, and routine health monitoring. With the growing burden of both communicable and non-communicable diseases in India, ensuring accurate, timely, and high-quality diagnostic services is critical for effective healthcare delivery.
In addition to technical competence, the certified IPHLs have focused on patient-centric services. This includes reducing waiting times, providing accurate test results promptly, ensuring transparency in reporting, and maintaining high standards of hygiene and safety. These measures not only enhance public trust but also contribute to better health outcomes by facilitating early diagnosis and timely treatment.
The success of Pandri and Balodabazar IPHLs reflects the broader strategic vision of Chhattisgarh’s health administration to modernize healthcare infrastructure and expand access to high-quality diagnostic services. The state has undertaken initiatives to upgrade laboratory equipment, enhance staff training, streamline workflows, and integrate modern technology for data management and reporting. These efforts have not only improved service delivery but also positioned the state as a leader in public health laboratory quality standards.
Looking forward, the state government plans to replicate the success of these two IPHLs across other districts. By leveraging the lessons learned from Pandri and Balodabazar, officials aim to create a network of laboratories that maintain consistent quality standards, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of location, has access to reliable diagnostic services. This initiative aligns with India’s broader goals under the National Health Mission and PM ABHIM to strengthen public health infrastructure and improve health outcomes nationwide.
Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal noted that the achievement demonstrates the positive impact of combining policy direction, technical expertise, and committed human resources. “Our laboratories are not just facilities for testing; they are institutions that uphold scientific rigor, patient care, and operational excellence,” he said. “Certification under NQAS is a recognition of the hard work of our healthcare professionals and an endorsement of Chhattisgarh’s progressive approach to public health.”
The certification process has also underscored the importance of monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement in public health facilities. Both IPHLs have implemented robust quality control mechanisms, standard operating procedures, and regular internal audits to ensure sustained performance. These practices not only meet national standards but also foster a culture of accountability and professional development among laboratory staff.
In summary, the recognition of Pandri and Balodabazar district hospitals’ IPHLs under the National Quality Assurance Standards represents a landmark achievement for Chhattisgarh’s public health system. By setting new benchmarks for technical excellence, operational efficiency, and patient-centered care, these laboratories exemplify the state’s commitment to delivering high-quality healthcare services. As model facilities, they provide a roadmap for other districts and states to enhance the quality and accessibility of diagnostic services, ultimately strengthening India’s public health infrastructure and improving health outcomes for millions of citizens.
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