The Indian Council of Medical Research has backed a new affordable tool, HemoQR, developed at IIT Kharagpur, for quick anaemia detection without the need for bulky laboratory equipment.
Designed by SmartQR Technologies under the mentorship of IIT Kharagpur Director Suman Chakraborty, the portable device requires only a drop of blood from a finger prick. The sample is placed on a specially designed paper strip, which is scanned using a smartphone camera to estimate haemoglobin levels within minutes.
The innovation makes it easier for doctors and health workers to screen patients in remote and resource-limited settings where access to lab facilities is limited. Trials conducted at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital have shown the device to be effective for initial screening as well as broader diagnostic support.
The recommendation is expected to boost government initiatives such as the ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat’ campaign and the National Health Mission by enabling faster identification and treatment of patients. Officials say the tool could be widely used in hospitals and community health camps.
The development underscores IIT Kharagpur’s emphasis on creating practical, low-cost healthcare innovations aimed at strengthening India’s public health system.
