ICMLS Advocacy for Policy Development for Augmentation of Medical Laboratory Services

The Indian Confederation of Medical Laboratory Science (ICMLS) has been a strong national advocate for the development and strengthening of medical laboratory services as a core component of India’s healthcare system. Recognizing that accurate and timely diagnostics form the foundation of evidence-based medicine, ICMLS emphasizes that policy-level interventions are essential to ensure equitable access, quality, and sustainability of laboratory services across the country — from primary health centers to advanced tertiary institutions.

Through continuous engagement with policymakers, professional bodies, and regulatory authorities, ICMLS promotes the creation of a comprehensive national policy framework that addresses manpower, quality, infrastructure, education, and governance in medical laboratory services.

Key Focus Areas of ICMLS Advocacy

1.     National Laboratory Policy and Strategic Framework: ICMLS advocates for the establishment of a National Medical Laboratory Services Policy, similar to those in many developed countries, to guide planning, standardization, and quality improvement in diagnostics. Such a policy should define minimum service standards, ensure integration with public health programs, and strengthen surveillance and emergency response systems through robust laboratory networks.

2.  Human Resource Planning and Workforce Strengthening: ICMLS highlights the urgent need for adequate staffing, proper designation, and deployment of qualified Medical Laboratory Professionals at all levels of healthcare. It calls for evidence-based workforce planning, periodic review of staffing norms, and career progression pathways to attract and retain skilled professionals.

3.  Infrastructure Development and Modernization: The Confederation advocates for policy provisions that ensure modernization of laboratory infrastructure — including automation, digital connectivity, biosafety standards, and access to essential diagnostic technologies — especially in rural and underserved regions. This will bridge the urban–rural diagnostic gap and enhance the efficiency and reliability of test results.

4.    Quality Assurance and Accreditation Systems: ICMLS insists that every medical laboratory, public or private, should operate under a recognized quality management and accreditation framework such as ISO 15189. It advocates for policy mandates that make internal and external quality assurance programs (EQA/IQA) compulsory for all laboratories to ensure reliability, comparability, and traceability of test results.

5.    Integration with Public Health and National Programs: ICMLS supports policies that strengthen the link between diagnostic laboratories and disease surveillance systems, facilitating early detection and monitoring of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The organization also advocates for the inclusion of laboratory professionals in public health planning, outbreak investigation, and research initiatives.

6.   Promotion of Research, Innovation, and Data-Driven Decision-Making: ICMLS encourages the government to develop policies supporting research grants, innovation hubs, and public–private partnerships in laboratory science. It emphasizes the use of digital health data, AI, and automation to enhance laboratory efficiency and to inform health policies through accurate diagnostics data.

7.   Education, Regulation, and Professional Governance: ICMLS advocates for strong linkage between education, practice, and regulation through effective implementation of the NCAHP Act, 2021. The Confederation calls for national standards in curriculum design, scope of practice, and institutional accreditation, ensuring a competent and ethically accountable workforce to sustain high-quality laboratory services.

8.   Equity, Accessibility, and Affordability: ICMLS emphasizes that laboratory diagnostics are not a luxury but a public health necessity. It advocates for government-funded laboratory networks, diagnostic subsidies, and universal access to essential laboratory tests under public health insurance schemes like Ayushman Bharat, ensuring no patient is denied diagnosis due to financial barriers.

The ICMLS advocacy for policy development for augmentation of medical laboratory services aims to build a robust, quality-driven, and patient-centered diagnostic system that supports India’s national health goals. By influencing policy in areas of education, quality assurance, infrastructure, workforce planning, and governance, ICMLS envisions a future where medical laboratory services are recognized as a pillar of healthcare delivery and integrated into every aspect of public health and clinical medicine.

Through its continuous dialogue with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), and international partners, ICMLS remains committed to transforming India’s diagnostic landscape into one that is efficient, equitable, and globally benchmarked.