BMCRI is working to set up a centralized diagnostic center to reduce the burden on Victoria Hospital’s central Infosys laboratory

The proposal aims to bring the Infosys lab and five other labs within the campus under one roof. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

With increasing pressure on the central diagnostic laboratory at the Victoria Hospital campus due to increasing patient load, the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) is now working on a proposal to streamline laboratory and patient services.

Built by Infosys Foundation, the laboratory serves several hospitals under BMCRI. A spike in patient load results in long delays in tests and reports. The proposal aims to bring the Infosys lab and five other labs within the campus under one roof.

Space identified

BMCRI director and dean Kavya ST told The Hindu that the plan is to set up a centralized laboratory under one roof. “We have identified a site for this lab on the top floor of the dispensary building. Blood and urine samples can be collected right in the outpatient department (OPD) premises, reducing the need to move patients across multiple buildings. We are working on it and will submit the proposal to the government soon,” she said.

Hospitals under BMCRI, including Victoria Hospital, Minto Eye Hospital, Vani Vilas Hospital, Institute of Nephro-Urology, PMSSY Hospital, Institute of Gastroenterology Sciences and Organ Transplant (IGOT), ENT Hospital, Trauma and Emergency Care Centre, State Dental Hospital and Mahabodhi Burns Unit, are heavily dependent on Infosys for a wide range of investigative laboratories.

BMCRI authorities said the facility now processes samples from around 1,500 to 1,600 patients every day, with more than 5,000 tests being processed daily. As a result, patients often spend hours waiting for samples to be sent or reports to be collected.

Fully automated laboratory

Deepak Shivanna, medical superintendent of Victoria Hospital, said the plan is to set up a fully centralized, automated diagnostic laboratory to ease pressure on existing facilities.

He said that BMCRI is strengthening its in-house laboratory services in accordance with National Medical Commission norms. However, with several hospitals relying on the current system, the current arrangement is under a lot of pressure.

“The idea is to make it fully automated and patient-friendly. Patients should not have to move from one building to another for different tests. Reports can be accessed digitally, even by scanning a barcode,” said Dr. Shivanna.

He said such a system would improve quality control, reduce overcrowding, reduce waiting times and help monitor services more effectively. Routine reports could be available within three to four hours, while specialized tests such as microbiological cultures would take longer.

Lack of staff and equipment

The Infosys laboratory was established in 2006 and met the needs of that time. However, as patient numbers have skyrocketed over the years, the infrastructure and workforce have not expanded commensurately.

Sources said each lab section ideally requires at least 10 technicians, but several sections are functioning with only four to five staff. In the histopathology services, one machine was out of service for several months, leaving only a single functional unit. At least three such machines are needed to meet current demand.

There is also no full-fledged cancer-related diagnostic testing facility, forcing several suspected patients to be referred to Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology.

Concerns about overcrowding

The laboratory building remains crowded throughout the day. Sampling, billing, reporting, HIV testing and counseling services are located on the ground floor, with testing sections on the upper floors.

Due to space constraints, only one counter is available for several services, leading to long queues and congestion. Staff said overcrowding in waiting rooms and shared facilities raised concerns about the risk of infection.

The modernization project is estimated to cost around ₹8 crore and the institute hopes to get government approval or CSR funding.

Published – 23 May 2026 21:55 IST