Apollo Diagnostics’ Central Reference Laboratory Marks Milestone in the First Year: 8.6 million Tests Processed
30th April 2026, Chennai, Tamil Nadu: Apollo Diagnostics today celebrates the first anniversary of its Digi-Smart Central Reference Laboratory (CRL) in Chennai, marking a year of transformative impact on the diagnostic landscape. Since its inauguration in April 2025, the facility has emerged as South and South East Asia’s 4th largest integrated laboratory, representing a giant leap in technical capabilities for the region.
Built on a digital-first model utilizing advanced automation and Lean Six Sigma principles, the CRL has redefined precision, efficiency, and scalability in medical diagnostics. Over the past 12 months, the facility has achieved extraordinary operational milestones:
● Massive Volume: The CRL successfully processed over 8.6 million tests
● Operational Efficiency: Within its first year, the laboratory automated manual processing steps by 86% across all disciplines
● Surging Demand: Test volumes surged by 40%, yet the facility maintained its commitment to safety and speed
● Reliable Accuracy: 99.9 % samples tested adhered to the defined analytical turnaround time (TAT) with a remarkably low near zero error rate
The momentous occasion of the 1st Anniversary of Apollo Central Reference Laboratory, Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder and Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Our Digi-Smart Central Reference Laboratory marks a defining moment in the evolution of diagnostics, reflecting a deep commitment to advancing healthcare through precision, scale and purpose.
In just a year, it has demonstrated how the seamless integration of technology and clinical excellence can elevate standards, processing millions of tests with remarkable accuracy while upholding the highest benchmarks of safety and reliability. At its heart, lies a simple yet powerful truth that every sample represents a life, every result carries responsibility and every insight has the potential to change outcomes. The achievements witnessed here stand as a tribute to the dedication of our teams, whose pursuit of excellence ensures that innovation remains anchored in compassion and care. Now, the journey ahead holds even greater promise, as with the continued integration of advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and genomic science, this laboratory is poised to redefine the frontiers of early detection and personalised treatment, bringing sharper clarity to clinical decisions and greater confidence to patients and their families. This endeavour embodies a larger vision to build a healthcare system where every advancement translates into meaningful impact and where the promise of better health reaches every individual we serve.”
Dr. Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group, added: “Today, we celebrate more than technical milestones; we celebrate the fusion of digital intelligence and human care, ensuring that world-class diagnostics are no longer a privilege, but a promise kept to every Indian. By improving turnaround times by 47% and implementing AI driven auto-validation systems, one of the few in the country, we are empowering both doctors and patients to make informed decisions faster—ensuring that every diagnosis remains a doorway to better care”.
The Digi-Smart Lab continues to leverage advanced robotics, high-definition cameras, bespoke algorithms, and machine learning to optimize processed mitigate errors and accelerate the diagnostic timelines. By adopting an innovative hub-and-spoke "Cluster Consolidation" approach with the CRL at its center, Apollo has maximized its strategic geographical footprint to serve clients across India and Southeast Asia. This infrastructure supports a daily capacity of 40,000 samples, ensuring consistent excellence across the network.
In its inaugural year, the facility’s impact on patient care was formally recognized on a global stage. The CRL was the only laboratory to be conferred the "Laboratory Excellence Award for Outstanding Services" at the Global Diagnostic Directors’ Conclave.
About Apollo Diagnostics:
Apollo Diagnostics is the result of the ‘good health for all’ mission that is spurring the Apollo Hospitals Group to touch a billion lives. Following the corporate credo of bringing timely and quality healthcare closer to the consumer, Apollo Diagnostics conducts an average of 20 million diagnostic tests every year. With a growing network of patient care centers, we are present in 2000+ locations. Expanded to 140 Labs in India, we provide accurate results, backed by Apollo's legacy of excellence, enabling a seamless experience for all stakeholders of Apollo Diagnostics.
