Despite India’s rapid growth in medical infrastructure and diagnostics, one outdated practice continues to thrive – the use of BT/CT (Bleeding Time / Clotting Time) as a routine coagulation test. While the rest of the world has moved on to precise and clinically relevant tests like PT (Prothrombin Time) and aPTT (Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time), India still hasn’t included them in its national essential diagnostics list.
India’s ambition to become a developed nation by 2047 and cross a $5 trillion economy mark in the next few years is commendable. But this vision cannot be fully realized without transforming our diagnostic practices to match global standards. The continued use of BT/CT not only compromises patient safety but also hinders our healthcare ecosystem from truly evolving.
BT (Bleeding Time) measures how long it takes for bleeding to stop after a skin puncture, while CT (Clotting Time) measures clot formation in a test tube. While once considered foundational, these tests are now:
Yet they persist in India due to their low cost, lack of awareness, and inertia in public health policy.
PT and aPTT are widely accepted across the world because they:
In short, PT and aPTT are the clinical backbone of modern haemostasis testing.
India ranks second globally in hemophilia cases, trailing only the United States. Yet, access to accurate clotting profile tests remains limited, especially in tier-2 and rural regions.
Additionally, India performs over 30 million surgeries annually, with the projected requirement growing to 50 million. These numbers reflect the urgent need for reliable coagulation testing like PT and aPTT, especially before surgical interventions.
Outdated tests like BT/CT are simply not designed to support the demands of modern medicine.
| Country | BT/CT in Use | PT/aPTT in Essential Testing | Healthcare Spend (% of GDP) |
| India | Yes | No | 3.5% |
| USA | No | Yes | 17.7% |
| UK | No | Yes | 10.2% |
| Germany | No | Yes | 11.7% |
| Japan | No | Yes | 10.9% |
India’s continued reliance on BT/CT stands in stark contrast to global practices. To match our economic ambitions, our diagnostics policies must evolve.
Including PT/aPTT in government health programs like Ayushman Bharat and the Essential Diagnostics List can:
It’s time to move from “what’s easy” to “what’s essential.”
Contrary to popular belief, PT and aPTT testing is affordable and accessible. With indigenous innovations like FibriTimer Zeta-1, manufactured by Dfine Bioinnovations and marketed by Operon Biotech, labs across India can now:
Operon Biotech is working with labs, hospitals, and distributors nationwide to educate, equip, and elevate diagnostic quality.
Here is a easy guide “How to choose right haemostasis system ?”you have guide written by experts , for more information you can reach out to Operon Biotech team.
India has the talent, innovation, and intent to lead the world in healthcare. But we can’t achieve that by clinging to colonial-era tests like BT/CT. The time has come for a diagnostic renaissance—one that prioritizes accuracy over affordability myths, patient safety over tradition, and clinical relevance over convenience.
With PT and aPTT testing as standard practice, powered by indigenous technologies like FibriTimer Zeta-1, we can usher in an era of error-free lab reporting, improved turnaround time, and equitable healthcare access across India.
Let’s stop bleeding time and start saving lives.
If you have any questions & comments, write to us info@operonbiotech.com/ operon@operonbiotech.com
