The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has officially recommended HemoQR, an innovative portable hemoglobin estimation kit developed by SmartQR Technologies under the mentorship of Prof. Suman Chakraborty at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur.
The technology was incubated at the ICMR–DHR Centre of Excellence and the DSIR–CRTDH at IIT Kharagpur, both focused on advancing affordable healthcare solutions. This recommendation marks an important step in strengthening India’s efforts to improve early detection and management of anemia.
A Rapid and Device-Free Screening Solution
HemoQR has been designed as a rapid, device-free point-of-care diagnostic tool for hemoglobin estimation. The system uses paper-based microfluidic technology combined with smartphone-enabled image analytics to analyse blood samples efficiently.
Healthcare providers can obtain results using a simple finger-prick blood sample, enabling quick and reliable hemoglobin assessment without the need for complex laboratory equipment.
Clinical Validation Confirms Diagnostic Utility
As per the IIT Kharagpur LinkedIn post, the device underwent rigorous analytical validation at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital in New Delhi. Following this evaluation, experts recognized the technology as suitable for anemia screening in hospital settings.
In addition, clinicians can use HemoQR as an initial screening tool within diagnostic workflows, helping identify patients who require further laboratory testing or medical intervention.
Supporting National Health Initiatives
Importantly, this recognition aligns with India’s ongoing public health efforts to tackle anemia. The technology directly supports national programmes such as Anemia Mukt Bharat and the National Health Mission.
By enabling early detection and scalable screening, HemoQR can improve anemia monitoring in both clinical facilities and community health settings, particularly in resource-limited regions.
A Milestone in Affordable Healthcare Innovation
Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director of IIT Kharagpur, highlighted that HemoQR reflects the institute’s commitment to developing affordable, point-of-care medical technologies that address critical public health challenges.
He also noted that the innovation demonstrates the successful integration of academic research, clinical validation, and industrial translation, creating solutions that can directly benefit healthcare systems.
Advancing Technology for National Development
As IIT Kharagpur celebrates 75 years of excellence, innovations such as HemoQR reinforce the institute’s vision of contributing to a Viksit Bharat through technology-driven and socially relevant healthcare solutions.