Lok Sabha Question No. 18 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: National Essential Diagnostics List
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Pratima Mondal, Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESEARCH

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 18 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2024

## NATIONALESSENTIALDIAGNOSTICS LIST

## *18. SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL: DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government/Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has proposed to revise the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) which was released in 2019 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether ICMR has invited relevant stakeholders to offer suggestions on adding/deleting diagnostic tests to the current list and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended to facilitate the availability of in-vitro diagnostics across the various tiers of the healthcare pyramid, in facilities with or without an on-site laboratory;
- (d) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken to implement such recommendations in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (e) whether the steps being taken by ICMR are in compliance with the recommendations of WHO for development and implementation of NEDL facilitating the availability of in-vitro diagnostic across various tiers of the healthcare pyramid, in facilities with or without an on-site laboratory; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## (DR MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

- (a) to ( f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 18 FOR 2 ND FEBRUARY, 2024

(a) and (b) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) in 2019. ICMR has now taken up the task of revision of the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL). Suggestions have been invited from the relevant stakeholders to revise the National Essential Diagnostics List. The stakeholders are encouraged to share their comments on the proposed revisions based on the criteria like essentiality of the test, disease burden, Indian Public Health Standards 2022, necessary regulatory approvals etc.

(c) to (f): The World Health Organisation (WHO) released the first edition of Essential Diagnostics List (EDL) in 2018. Since then, the WHO has published two more editions, with the latest edition released in 2023. The WHO EDL enlists in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) that are recommended by WHO for use in two tiers: I) IVDs for Primary health care; II) IVDs for Health care facilities with clinical laboratories.

However, the NEDL is more comprehensive, spanning the various levels of healthcare, including primary care (Sub-Centre and Primary Health Centre) and secondary care (Community Health Centre, Sub-District Hospital and District Hospital).

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has launched the ' Free Diagnostics Service Initiative ' (FDSI) programme under National Health Mission (NHM) with an objective to provide accessible and affordable pathological and radiological diagnostics services closer to the community encompassing Free Laboratory Services, Free Tele radiology Services and Free CT Scan Services. The objective of FDSI is to provide an expanded range of diagnostics, free of cost at all levels of public health facilities (14 tests at Sub Centers, 63 at Primary Health Centers, 97 at Community Health Centres, 111 test at Sub District Hospitals and 134 tests at District Hospitals).

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