Mumbai : For thousands of families living with haemophilia in India, diagnosis is often the longest and most uncertain part of the journey. At K J Somaiya Hospital & Research Centre, that reality is beginning to change.
On the occasion of World Haemophilia Day, the hospital announced the development of three rapid diagnostic tests designed to detect and monitor haemophilia in just 5 to 10 minutes—bringing speed, affordability, and accessibility to a space that has long struggled with delays and limitations.
In India, while approximately 26,000 patients are registered with haemophilia, the estimated number is closer to 1,00,000. Nearly three out of four individuals remain undiagnosed, often discovering the condition only after severe or repeated bleeding episodes.
The newly developed tests include a rapid test for detecting Factor VIII inhibitors, a latex agglutination-based test for Factor VIII antibodies, and a point-of-care test to measure emicizumab drug levels. With these tests moving towards wider availability, diagnosis can be completed within 10–15 minutes at an estimated cost of ₹100 to ₹150—compared to conventional methods that take 4 to 6 hours and cost up to ₹15,000—without requiring specialised laboratory infrastructure.
This shift is not just technical; it is deeply human. Faster diagnosis enables quicker clinical decisions, reduces complications, and makes care accessible in settings ranging from emergency rooms to primary health centres.
Samir Somaiya, Chairman, K J Somaiya Medical Trust, underlined that among all gains, the greatest is good health. He highlighted that Somaiya Ayurvihar is envisioned as a place of life. He shared that the commitment to supporting patients with cancer and blood disorders, including haemophilia, is deeply personal and has led to the creation of centres where bone marrow transplants, clinical research, and innovation come together to find better solutions for patients.
The science behind the innovation is equally robust. One of the point-of-care tests has demonstrated a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 99%, while also being accepted for
publication in the Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. The work is supported by leading bodies such as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), with all three tests currently under provisional patent applications.
For a condition where 25–30% of patients develop inhibitors that complicate treatment, timely detection can define outcomes.
Elaborating on the hospital’s integrated approach to diagnosis and treatment, Dr Manisha Bobade, CEO, K J Somaiya Hospital & Research Centre, stated, “The establishment of the Haematology Department and the Bone Marrow Transplant unit at K J Somaiya Hospital has been a defining step. Our vision has always been to build a centre that can diagnose, treat, research, and innovate—all under one roof.”
Addressing the challenges in coagulation diagnostics infrastructure, Dr Shrimati Shetty, Director – Laboratory Haematology & Clinical Research, K J Somaiya Hospital & Research Centre, said, “There is an acute shortage of coagulation laboratories in the country. A comprehensive laboratory should be able to diagnose not only haemophilia but all types of bleeding disorders. Yet, maintaining such infrastructure—from ultracold storage to quality control—is complex. Innovations like these rapid diagnostics have the potential to transform access, bringing timely and reliable testing closer to patients.”
The announcement was made at a World Haemophilia Day event hosted at Somaiya Ayurvihar, attended by over 400 patients, clinicians, and researchers, with Shri Sukhwinder Singh, renowned playback singer and composer, present as the Chief Guest.The gathering reflected a growing shift—from awareness to action, and from delayed diagnosis to timely care.
K J Somaiya Hospital & Research Centre, part of the Somaiya Group’s long-standing commitment to healthcare and education, continues to invest in research that addresses real-world challenges—ensuring that innovation moves beyond laboratories and reaches the patients who need it most.
Because in conditions like haemophilia, time is not just a metric—it is the difference between uncertainty and care.
