On March 12, 2026, global healthcare company Abbott announced the launch of the International Cardio-Renal Risk Assessment and Stratification (ICRAS) Tool, a web-based clinical platform designed to help doctors across India identify potential heart and kidney risks in people living with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM).
- Developed with Guidance from Leading Medical Experts
- How the ICRAS Tool Works
- Strong Emphasis on Data Privacy and Security
- Abbott’s Commitment to Improving Diabetes Care
- Experts Highlight the Importance of Early Risk Assessment
- Potential Impact on Patient Care
- Disclaimer and Current Status of the Initiative
- Beyond Medical Innovation: Health, Wisdom, and the Search for True Purpose
The digital tool aims to assist clinicians in early risk stratification, enabling healthcare professionals to identify complications sooner and take timely action to improve patient outcomes. The initiative addresses a major public health concern in India, which is often described as the diabetes capital of the world, with an estimated 101 million people currently living with diabetes.
Heart and kidney diseases are among the most serious and common complications associated with Type 2 diabetes, making early risk assessment and clinical monitoring crucial in managing the condition.
Developed with Guidance from Leading Medical Experts
The ICRAS Tool was developed with the guidance of a distinguished expert panel comprising leading diabetes and cardiometabolic specialists. The panel included:
Dr. Sanjay Kalra
Dr. V. Mohan
Dr. Atul Dhingra
Dr. Deep Dutta
Dr. Dinesh Khullar
Dr. Jothydev Kesavadev
Dr. K. D. Modi
Dr. Manash P. Baruah
Dr. Nitin Kapoor
Dr. Pramila Kalra
Dr. Shehla Shaikh
Dr. Tiny Nair
These experts contributed clinical insights to help design a system capable of evaluating cardio-renal risk in people with Type 2 diabetes at an early stage.
The platform brings together key medical indicators and lifestyle factors, allowing clinicians to generate separate risk scores that help identify potential complications related to both cardiovascular and kidney health.
How the ICRAS Tool Works
The web-based ICRAS platform integrates several health indicators, including important diagnostic test results and lifestyle parameters, to produce risk scores for multiple complications.
Specifically, the tool helps clinicians estimate a patient’s likelihood of developing:
Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD)
Coronary Heart Disease (CHD)
Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE)
The system also considers gender-specific differences in risk, providing a more personalised summary of each patient’s health profile. This approach allows doctors to better understand the potential progression of complications associated with diabetes.
In addition to improving diagnostic evaluation, the platform is designed to support timely clinical decision-making and evidence-based medical practice, enabling doctors to adopt targeted interventions based on individual patient risk.
Strong Emphasis on Data Privacy and Security
A key feature of the ICRAS Tool is its strong focus on patient privacy and data protection.
According to Abbott, the web-based system does not capture or store personal information related to patients or doctors. All risk assessments generated through the platform remain fully secure and accessible only to qualified healthcare professionals.
This privacy-focused design ensures that clinicians can conduct risk evaluations without compromising the confidentiality of patient information.
Abbott’s Commitment to Improving Diabetes Care
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Kartik Peethambaran, Medical Director, Abbott India, highlighted the company’s commitment to strengthening diabetes care across the healthcare ecosystem.
He stated that Abbott continues to work closely with healthcare professionals to support appropriate patient screening and improved clinical outcomes.
According to Dr. Peethambaran, the ICRAS Tool enables clinicians to assess the likelihood of patients developing Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD), Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), and Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events (MACE).
He emphasized that the tool’s most significant advantage lies in its ability to facilitate timely clinical decision-making, promote evidence-based medical practice, and strengthen overall patient evaluation processes across India.
Experts Highlight the Importance of Early Risk Assessment
Medical experts involved in the project stressed the need for early identification of diabetes-related complications.
Dr. Sanjay Kalra, Consultant Endocrinologist at Bharti Hospital in Karnal, explained that complications from diabetes often arise due to a combination of factors such as high blood glucose levels, excess body weight, other medical conditions, and lifestyle habits.
Over time, these factors can place additional strain on the heart and kidneys, two organs that are frequently affected in patients with Type 2 diabetes.
Dr. Kalra noted that nearly one-third of people with Type 2 diabetes suffer from some form of heart disease, while chronic kidney disease affects approximately 40 percent of T2DM patients.
One of the major challenges, he said, is that many individuals feel healthy in the early stages, even when complications may already be developing silently. Early risk assessments therefore allow doctors to identify these issues sooner and intervene before the condition worsens.
Potential Impact on Patient Care
Healthcare experts believe that early identification of cardio-renal risks can significantly improve the management of Type 2 diabetes.
By identifying risks at an early stage, doctors can tailor treatment strategies, implement targeted interventions, and slow or even prevent serious complications affecting the heart and kidneys.
This proactive approach may help millions of people living with diabetes maintain better long-term health outcomes and quality of life.
Disclaimer and Current Status of the Initiative
The ICRAS Tool has been issued by Abbott Healthcare Private Limited primarily for general awareness and clinical use by qualified healthcare professionals.
The company clarified that the tool is not intended to replace professional medical advice, and that the views expressed by independent doctors represent their own professional judgment.
Abbott also stated that the information associated with the platform is based on scientific references, and while care has been taken to ensure accuracy and completeness, the company does not accept liability for consequences arising from the information provided.
As of March 13, 2026, reports from sources including The Indian Practitioner, ETHealthworld, and BioSpectrum India confirm the launch details. No additional updates, studies, or expansions related to the ICRAS Tool have been announced beyond the initial rollout of the web-based platform for clinicians in India.
Beyond Medical Innovation: Health, Wisdom, and the Search for True Purpose
The launch of Abbott’s ICRAS Tool reflects how modern healthcare continues to advance, helping doctors identify serious risks earlier and improve outcomes for people living with Type 2 diabetes. While scientific innovation strengthens physical well-being, many individuals also reflect on deeper questions about life’s purpose, inner peace, and humanity’s connection with the Divine.
According to the teachings of Saint Rampal Ji Maharaj, true and lasting happiness comes from understanding authentic spiritual knowledge and practicing true worship. His teachings explain that true worship of the True God through a True Guru can bring profound transformation in a person’s life.
It is believed to bring relief even from severe diseases such as cancer, while its benefits extend far beyond physical health to spiritual peace and liberation. For readers seeking deeper insight, books like “Gyan Ganga” and “Way of Living” offer perspectives on genuine devotion, authentic worship practices, and a meaningful path toward a balanced and purposeful life.
