PRESS RELEASE
*ICMR Recommends IIT Kharagpur-Backed HemoQR for Point-of-Care Anemia Screening*
Kharagpur, 06th April 2026 : The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur is proud to announce that HemoQR, a portable hemoglobin estimation kit developed by SmartQR Technologies under the mentorship of Prof. Suman Chakraborty and incubated at the ICMR-DHR Centre of Excellence and DSIR-Common Research and Technology Development Hub (CRTDH) at IIT Kharagpur, has been officially recommended by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
HemoQR is an innovative, device-free point-of-care diagnostic tool that utilizes paper-based microfluidics and smartphone-based image analytics to deliver rapid hemoglobin estimation from a simple finger-prick blood sample. The device has undergone rigorous analytical validation at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi, and has been recognized as suitable for screening of anemia in hospital settings and as an initial screening tool within the diagnostic pathway .
This significant recognition aligns with national healthcare priorities, including the Anemia Mukt Bharat initiative and the National Health Mission, by enabling early detection and timely intervention in anemia management. The technology holds strong potential for deployment in both clinical and community settings, thereby strengthening India’s public health infrastructure.
Speaking on the achievement, Prof. Suman Chakraborty, Director, IIT Kharagpur, stated that “HemoQR represents a significant step toward developing affordable, point-of-care medical technologies that address critical public health challenges such as anemia in India. This innovation demonstrates the power of integrating academic research with translational impact.”
This milestone underscores IIT Kharagpur’s continued commitment to advancing indigenous healthcare technologies that are analytically robust, clinically relevant, and socially impactful. As the Institute celebrates 75 years of excellence, such innovations reinforce its vision of contributing to a Viksit Bharat through technology-driven solutions for societal good.
