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The IPHL at Pandri Raipur became the first certified lab in the country, while the IPHL at Balodabazar 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.
Chhattisgarh achieved two historic achievements in the field of health services
Raipur: 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 Balodabazar have received national-level quality certification under the Government of India's National Quality Assurance Program (NQAS). The IPHL at Pandri Raipur became the first certified lab in the country, while the IPHL at Balodabazar 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.
Strengthening Health Services
As a direct result of the Chhattisgarh government's continued efforts to strengthen healthcare services in the state, a total of 832 healthcare institutions in the state have been 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 for the first time in the country, such a large and systematic chain of labs has been evaluated and certified in any 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 in Pandri Raipur was evaluated on September 10, 2025, while the IPHL in 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 with a score of 88%. This score falls in the excellent category according to national standards of healthcare quality.
Patients will receive all these facilities
The fundamental objective of the Integrated Public Health Lab concept is to ensure that patients have access to all types of testing facilities related to pathology, biochemistry, and microbiology under one roof. This not only increases the speed and reliability of testing, but also relieves people from unnecessary dependence on expensive private testing labs. Due to the integrated model, patients have access to affordable and accurate test reports at one location.
IPHL in Pandri, Raipur, has become a model lab 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 capability and utility.
Pandri and Balodabazar Labs honored with National Quality Certificate
A major relief for thousands of patients in the district
IPHL in Balodabazar is also a rapidly emerging lab in terms of service quality. It conducts 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 significant relief to thousands of patients in the district. Patients from rural and tribal areas no longer need to travel to urban 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 inspected 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 health system. The NQAS standards mandate strict adherence to 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 provided this information
Commissioner and Director Dr. Priyanka Shukla stated that the NQAS program is a crucial initiative of the Government of India, institutionalizing quality improvement in government hospitals. The checklist prescribed in this program is extremely comprehensive, and certification is granted only when an institution demonstrates consistent excellence on all parameters. The efficiency and discipline with which both IPHL labs in Chhattisgarh met all the criteria demonstrates the strength and commitment of the state's healthcare system.
Great relief for thousands of patients in the district
Special Focus on Quality Improvement
He stated that Chhattisgarh is focusing on quality improvement along with the expansion of healthcare services. Lab technicians, physicians, and management teams have worked with great dedication and diligence in this process. The achievements of the Pandri Raipur and Balodabazar IPHLs are inspiring for the entire state, and this model will be robustly replicated in other districts of Chhattisgarh in the future.
Chief Minister Vishnu Dev Sai Congratulates
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 at both district hospitals for this historic achievement. The Chief Minister stated 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 healthcare facilities with modern equipment and trained human resources. High-quality labs like IPHLs are playing a vital role in ensuring timely health checkups in rural, tribal, and backward areas. In the coming years, district hospitals and major health institutions across the state will be upgraded on this model.
