Asthma and innovative diagnostic technology in Dehli..

Mohan Lal an asthma patient whose, regular visits to Delhi’s hospitals were a nightmare of waiting in endless queues in sweltering corridors that swarm with mosquitoes ,until a spotless and air-conditioned clinic boasting innovative diagnostic technology and sharply-dressed doctors opened in Mr Lal’s neighborhood. Mr Lal, who needs regular treatment for his asthma, the sparkling free clinic and 100 others developed by the Delhi government of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in mostly low-income neighborhoods are a revelation. The crowning glory of Mr Lal’s neighborhood clinic is a newly invented device that conducts 50 common medical tests from a single blood sample, including sugar levels and cholesterol. In a city where diabetes, dengue, hepatitis, typhoid and other illnesses are common, the small, rectangular device provides swift diagnosis — thereby allowing for early treatment. Results of most of the tests are known within two minutes and are uploaded onto an IT cloud for access by patients and their doctors on their smart phones and the clinic’s tablets. The device was developed by biomedical engineer Kanav Kahol, who developed the device that he hopes will soon be installed in all of the other new clinics.It was originally aimed at easing India’s overburdened public health system, whose basic medical services are provided free of charge. Mr Kahol is surprised other countries have also expressed interest in the machine, which costs about $1,000 to buy.continue