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India's diagnostic testing industry has seen a transformative evolution over the last five years with significant shifts in test volumes, adoption rates and regional growth patterns.
Metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru account for nearly 35 percent of the total diagnostic test performed in India in a year, a market study has revealed.
After analysing data and meeting multiple stakeholders, the Mumbai based market research company, ‘Pronto Consult’, has given a clear view of how the diagnostic testing sector is shaping the future of healthcare in India.
Dr Hari Natarajan, managing director of the Pronto, while speaking to Pharmabiz, said the responses of the market study reveal significant patterns in the adoption and demand for diagnostic tests across India, and they are driven by healthcare awareness, healthcare infrastructure development and certain demographic factors.
According to him, metropolises like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Chennai exhibit consistent high-volume diagnostic activities, driven by superior healthcare infrastructure, accessibility and increased health consciousness among people. It has been noted that these cities account for nearly 30% to 35% of the total diagnostic tests performed in the country.
Other cities like Lucknow, Bhopal, Patna, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar, Kochi etc are witnessing faster growth percentages (12 to 20%) due to improving healthcare facilities and governments’ focus on medical access in non-metro regions. In addition to this, he said the number of testing laboratories in cities as well as in urban areas has increased in a large scale that enables the people to access the facilities at reasonable costs.
The study finds that there is a major increase in all the categories of diagnostic tests in cities, majorly in categories like oncology, cardiology, orthopaedics, gastroenterology, gynaecology, neurology, urology etc. He said there is an increased demand for hormonal, prenatal, and fertility-related tests, in the highly-populated cities. Major IVF treatments are carried out in cities, so fertility related diagnostic tests are also performed there.
Another important demand in the diagnostic testing area is for cosmetic dermatology treatments and tests. This is mainly becoming a part of city life and it focuses on improving the appearance of the skin, hair and nails through treatments and procedures.
There is a rising incidence of digestive disorders contributing to demand for diagnostic procedures. Similarly, increasing incidences of diabetes, hypertension, and heart diseases are fuelling demand for regular blood tests, lipid profiles, and advanced diagnostic tools. Overall growth projections across cities range from 12 to 30%, with other cities experiencing the highest percentage growth due to baseline capacity expansions.
Categories of diagnostic procedures in urban areas include CBC, glucose tests, lipid profile, TFT, vitamin D, mammography, fertility testing, skin patch, hormonal panel, LFT, CRP, colonoscopy, BMS and sleep studies.
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