ICMR’s NIIH Develops Affordable Point-of-Care Test for Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease

The Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Institute of Immunohaematology (ICMR-NIIH) in Mumbai has developed an affordable and easy-to-use point-of-care diagnostic kit for the early detection of Haemophilia A and Von Willebrand Disease (VWD). These two inherited bleeding disorders have long posed a major public health challenge in India due to underdiagnosis and limited access to specialized diagnostic facilities.

The newly developed kit costs just Rs 582, a fraction of the current standard lab-based tests which cost approximately Rs 2,086. This cost-effective solution offers a major breakthrough in accessibility, especially in rural and underserved regions where advanced diagnostic labs are unavailable.

Dr Rucha Patil, a scientist at NIIH, highlighted that the simple visual card-based test can be used at primary health centres (PHCs), dramatically expanding diagnostic reach. "This kit brings diagnosis closer to the people who need it most," she said.

The innovation was led by former scientist Dr Shrimati Shetty and former ICMR postdoctoral fellow Dr Priyanka Kasatkar. According to Dr Manisha Madkaikar, Director of NIIH and the Centre for Research Management and Control of Haemoglobinopathies in Nagpur, the World Federation for Haemophilia has shown interest in deploying the test globally in regions where these disorders are prevalent.

Haemophilia A, an X-linked recessive disorder, predominantly affects males and is passed down through the maternal X chromosome. VWD, in contrast, is an autosomal disorder affecting both males and females equally. Symptoms commonly include joint swelling, easy bruising, muscle bleeding, and for women, heavy menstrual bleeding or complications during childbirth.

India is estimated to have nearly 1.5 lakh individuals with Haemophilia A, but only around 27,000 have been officially diagnosed. Dr Patil noted the incidence of Haemophilia A is approximately one in 5,000 male births, while VWD affects about one percent of the general population.

Dr Bipin Kulkarni, also a scientist at NIIH, stated that this diagnostic advancement could help identify over 83,000 undiagnosed cases. "The test is three times cheaper than current methods and could save the health system around Rs 42 crore," he added.

The Health Technology Assessment team of ICMR and the Department of Health Research has recommended integrating the test into national health programs at the primary healthcare level. Implementation is already underway in several states.

With this innovation, India takes a crucial step towards reducing the burden of genetic bleeding disorders, offering timely diagnosis and better outcomes for thousands of patients across the country.