The Hindu Business Line : Diagnostic centre in tie-up with Wellspring

Doctors Diagnostic and Research Centre, one of the largest diagnostic networks in the State, has entered into a strategic alliance with Wellspring, a fully owned subsidiary of Nicholas Piramal Ltd, to provide super speciality investigations.

Wellspring, the largest diagnostic lab network in India, has presence in all major cities and towns with over 40 centres. It has three centres of excellence in histopathology, cytogenetics and molecular biology.

The joint venture, named DDRC Wellspring Pathlab Diagnostics, will be formally launched in the State on Friday by the State Minister for Health, Ms P.K. Sreemathy.

Service areas

Prof Dr M. Balaraman Nair, Medical Director, said at a press meet that the joint venture would be a turning point in the evolving diagnostic scenario in the State, as the new alliance will bring together the best of world-class technology and expertise. It will deliver services in the areas of cytogenetics, immunohistochemistry, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry, virology, immunology and radiology with nuclear medicines through the 34 labs of DDRC across the State.

Expansion plans

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Girish Mehta, Vice President, Wellspring Pathlab, said that it has plans to expand overseas by setting up pathology and radiology labs in the next two to three years. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Gulf countries and East African nations were among the countries being targeted.

DDRC Wellspring is also setting up a specimen collection mobile team to make available its services in more areas in the State. A mobile laboratory and a 24-hour ambulance service are also on the anvil. The joint venture has ambitious expansion plans in Tamil Nadu besides consolidating its leadership position in the State, he added.