Apollo Diagnostics has inaugurated its cutting-edge Digi-Smart Central Reference Laboratory (CRL) in Chennai, a 45,000-square-foot facility that sets a new standard in diagnostic services through full automation and advanced digital integration. The new laboratory is expected to cut sample turnaround time (TAT) by up to 60%, dramatically accelerating the delivery of test results and improving patient care.
The CRL incorporates five key laboratory disciplines Clinical Chemistry, Immunoassay, Serology, Hematology, and Hemostasis into a single, integrated, and digitally supervised system. The facility relies on high-end automation technologies, including robotics, machine learning, high-definition imaging, and proprietary algorithms to streamline laboratory workflows and minimize the potential for human error.
Capable of handling over 100,000 samples each day, the lab is designed to serve not just India but also clients across Southeast Asia. It offers a comprehensive test menu of over 3,000 diagnostic services, including specialized testing in microbiology, flow cytometry, histopathology, cytopathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology, and medical genetics.
Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman of Apollo Hospitals, remarked, “This Digi-Smart Lab is a breakthrough in diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency. By leveraging automation and AI, we ensure faster, more reliable results that directly enhance clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.”
Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, emphasized that this initiative signifies the future of diagnostics. “With speed, precision, and technology working in unison, we are setting new benchmarks in healthcare delivery. Every innovation we introduce aims to bring better results and care to our patients,” she said.
Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, echoed this sentiment, calling the facility a key milestone in Apollo’s mission to make top-quality diagnostic services widely available and affordable. “This laboratory goes beyond traditional testing. It embodies our belief that accurate diagnostics are the foundation of better care. With this facility, we empower both doctors and patients to make informed, timely decisions,” she noted.
The lab is committed to maintaining the highest standards through rigorous proficiency testing (PT) programs, regular quality control (QC) assessments, and will pursue both national and international accreditations.
Apollo Diagnostics views this facility as a major step in its broader vision to leverage automation and digital technologies to elevate diagnostic capabilities, ensure consistency, and support better healthcare delivery across the board.
