City X-Ray & Scan Clinic leads Delhi-NCR with NTEP Certification for FL LPA Testing

New Delhi: The mission for a “TB Free India” has gained momentum with City X-Ray & Scan Clinic becoming the first laboratory in Delhi-NCR to achieve NTEP certification for First Line, Line Probe Assay (FL LPA) testing. 

Despite global commitments to eradicate tuberculosis by 2030 and India’s ambitious goal to eliminate it by 2025, the latest data presents a stark reality. According to the WHO Global TB Report, 3 million people globally missed out on TB services in 2022, while TB continues to infect 10 million annually and results in 1.3 million deaths. The India TB Report 2024 highlights a slight increase in incidence to 27.8 lakh cases and 3.2 lakh deaths in 2023. This data underscores the significant challenge of reaching the ‘missing millions’ who remain undiagnosed and untreated.

In response, the Indian government has intensified efforts through the National Tuberculosis Examination Program (NTEP), which focuses on enhancing the quality and capacity of TB diagnostics.  Quality-certified diagnostic services provided by private sector labs are poised to be a powerful catalyst in identifying these ‘missing millions.’

The inclusion of high-quality private labs in the diagnostic network is expected to significantly boost the overall capacity, quality and effectiveness of the TB control mission. This program aims to build a comprehensive infrastructure for TB detection and treatment, incorporating various diagnostic tests including microscopy (ZN Smear), rapid AFB, culture and DST, cartridge-based molecular tests, and Line Probe Assays.

City X-Ray & Scan Clinic’s TB Lab, known for its advanced BSL-3 facility, has long been a provider of high-quality diagnostic services. This certification reflects the lab’s adherence to stringent quality standards and its role in supporting the government’s TB Mukt Bharat (TB Free India) Mission.

Dr. Sunita Kapoor, Director & Laboratory Head at City X-Ray & Scan Clinic, commented, “These tests are majorly conducted at the government facilities at various levels. ‘TB Free India’ Mission calls for a cohesive collaboration with private sector. Our state-of-the-art BSL-3 TB Lab has been providing quality diagnostic service since many years. Recently, we decided to undergo assessment and certification of quality reporting by NTEP. We take immense pride in announcing our NTEP certification for first line in LPA test., first in Delhi. The certification is a hallmark of quality and accuracy of our test reports, It reiterates our quality policy and objectives”

Dr. Charu Agrawal, Head of Microbiology and TB Division, added, “We want to stand shoulder to shoulder with the government in the TB Mukt Bharat (TB Free India) Mission. We are the first lab in Delhi NCR to get NTEP certification for FL LPA and this certification is a testament to the precision and reliability of our diagnostic reports. We are all set to get our other NTEP certificates soon. Our team remains steadfast in our mission to provide top-quality diagnostic services and support the national goal of a TB-free India.”