The panel discussion on the present and future of high-end diagnostics in the country at Diagnostics Summit 2019 presented by BW Healthcareworld in New Delhi.

With industry leaders, Dr Ramesh Hariharan, Co-Founder & CEO, Strand Life Sciences, Neeraj Gupta, Founder & CEO, Genes2Me, Dr Ravi Gaur, COO, Oncquest Laboratories, Dr Shelly Mahajan, Clinical Lead, Caring and Chair, Dr Ahwani Aggarwal, Associate Director, PwC, the panel discussion proceeded.

Whereas high-end diagnostics are available for the past two decades but it is now that experts have put it in action. Dr Gaur defines high-end diagnostics as “how finely one can diagnose the issue in the body as every patient get affected differently from the disease or infection and it might act unlikely.”

Being around genomics and genetic snag, Gupta said, To various unsolved problems the solution lies around genetic makeup and gene therapy. With these solutions, diseases can be precisely diagnosed and treated by certain technologies available.

Adding to the above statement on genomics made by Gupta, Hariharan said, “Earlier, it was an expensive affair but with upgraded technology and improved facilities, the gates were opened that led to a huge drop in the price.”

“Pricing was the hindrance for high-end diagnosis but now the scenario has been changed. But Clinical acceptance and optimization are major issues that are being tackled. We need to give some space for science and scientists. They need to have their own understanding for development in the diagnostics sector,” said Dr Mahajan.

Summing up the discussion, Aggarwal said, “Technology has been changing with each day. Due to high demand in the industry, we should invest more in science and research to cope up with the pace of up-gradation.”