Delhi Launches Rapid Needle-Free Anaemia Screening Initiative

The Delhi government plans to launch a pioneering initiative for rapid anaemia screenings that will use a non-invasive method to assess haemoglobin levels. This project is designed to identify the prevalence and trends of anaemia across various age groups in the national capital. Health department officials confirmed that the pilot program will explore the cost-effectiveness and overall utility of this innovative technology.

According to the National Family Health Survey 5 for 2019 to 2021, the prevalence of anaemia in the Delhi NCR region is significant, with 50.6 percent of women and 66.1 percent of children aged six to fifty-nine months affected. Health Minister Pankaj Singh acknowledged the severe burden of anaemia, stating, “Despite multiple initiatives, the numbers remain high. Hence, with this new initiative, we aim to take further steps to tackle the issue at hand.”

Traditionally, India’s Anaemia Mukt Bharat campaign, launched in 2018, has relied on invasive testing methods. These methods, such as the HemoCue device, necessitate a blood sample to measure haemoglobin concentration. However, advances in technology now allow for non-invasive testing, a method validated by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

Innovative Testing Technology

The new screening technique employs optical spectroscopy and artificial intelligence algorithms to estimate haemoglobin levels without the need for blood draws. Patients will place a fingertip on a compact device that shines light through the fingertip and analyzes the reflected light. Results are delivered on a smartphone within approximately sixty seconds.

This non-invasive method claims an accuracy of around 93 percent in detecting haemoglobin levels, based on validation studies. The technology works by reading light absorption patterns through the fingertip and processing them using trained algorithms. Officials noted that this approach offers near real-time results while maintaining clinically acceptable error ranges.

Minister Singh emphasized the advantages of non-invasive testing over conventional methods, stating that it enhances comfort and acceptability by eliminating needle pricks and blood draws. The technique may also reduce the risk of infection and complications typically associated with blood collection procedures. Additionally, its portability and speed make it ideal for mass screening efforts.

Implementation and Future Plans

The screening initiative is slated to begin in March 2024, with children, adolescents, and adults being tested at schools and health centers throughout the region. This project marks the second non-invasive anaemia survey following a similar effort in Odisha. An official stated, “Through this survey, we are also trying to compare existing data of haemoglobin deficiency in the population by non-invasive screening methods.”

While the exact costs for deploying the non-invasive screening devices remain undisclosed, officials indicated that the project is currently in the procurement stage. The health department is in the process of securing the units from the supplier used in the Odisha pilot, but final purchase orders and budget allocations have yet to be detailed.

As Delhi prepares to implement this innovative screening initiative, officials remain optimistic about its potential to improve public health outcomes related to anaemia in the national capital.