Raipur: In a landmark achievement for public healthcare, Chhattisgarh has secured two national distinctions with the Integrated Public Health Labs (IPHLs) of District Hospital Pandri, Raipur, and District Hospital Balodabazar receiving quality certification under the Government of India’s National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS). Pandri has been recognized as the first quality-certified IPHL in the country, while Balodabazar has become the second nationwide and second in the state.
This milestone underscores Chhattisgarh’s rapid progress in providing reliable, high-quality diagnostic services across its public health network.
Rigorous Assessment and Nationwide Recognition
Between January 2024 and November 2025, 832 health institutions in Chhattisgarh underwent comprehensive evaluation under NQAS, covering even remote areas such as Chintagufa in Dantewada. This systematic, large-scale accreditation process is unprecedented in India, earning Chhattisgarh a distinguished position at the national level.
Expert assessors from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare conducted detailed evaluations of both labs in September 2025. Pandri IPHL scored an impressive 90%, and Balodabazar IPHL 88%, both falling into the “excellent” category. Assessments covered patient services, workflow efficiency, safety protocols, documentation, quality control, and timely reporting.
Integrated Public Health Labs: A Model for Accessible Diagnostics
The IPHLs were established to provide pathology, biochemistry, and microbiology diagnostics under one roof, ensuring faster, reliable, and affordable results. This integrated model reduces dependence on costly private labs, particularly benefiting rural, tribal, and economically weaker communities.
Pandri IPHL conducts over 3,000 tests daily across 120 diagnostic services, operating on a hub-and-spoke model that serves Community Health Centres and Primary Health Centres in Raipur district. During emergencies, it has also processed samples from medical colleges and neighbouring districts.
Balodabazar IPHL performs 1,000–1,200 tests daily and offers more than 100 diagnostic services, providing vital access to high-quality diagnostics for thousands of patients in rural and tribal areas.
National Benchmark and Recognition
Pandri IPHL has emerged as a model lab, with teams from over 13 states visiting to study its operations. The Government of India has also featured the Raipur IPHL on the cover of national guidelines for establishing IPHLs under the PM–ABHIM program, setting a benchmark for other states.
The NQAS framework ensures strict adherence to cleanliness, safety, equipment calibration, biomedical waste management, patient satisfaction, staff training, and technical quality. Both labs have excelled in all parameters, demonstrating the state’s discipline, coordination, and commitment to healthcare excellence.
Government Praise and Future Plans
Chief Minister Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai congratulated the health teams, saying the achievement reflects “broad, scientific, and structural reforms in Chhattisgarh’s health system” and strengthens the credibility of public health services.
Health Minister Mr. Shyam Bihari Jaiswal highlighted that the IPHL model has made diagnostics faster, more accurate, and affordable, especially in rural and remote areas. He announced plans to expand this high-quality model to all district hospitals in the state, positioning Chhattisgarh as a national leader in healthcare quality standards.
A Landmark Step for Public Health in Chhattisgarh
The certification of Pandri and Balodabazar IPHLs marks a historic moment in the state’s healthcare journey, ensuring reliable diagnostics, improved patient care, and equitable access to high-quality medical services across urban, rural, and tribal regions. This achievement underscores the government’s commitment to modernizing public health infrastructure and delivering excellence to every citizen.
