Lok Sabha Question No. 853 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-07
Subject: Free Diagnostics and Drugs Services
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 853 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2025

## FREE DIAGNOSTICS AND DRUGS SERVICES

## 853. SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of HEALTHANDFAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the implementation of the 'Free Diagnostics Services Initiative' in Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai district of Tamil Nadu during the last five years along with the details of the beneficiaries, year-wise and district-wise; and
- (b) the details of benefits extended to Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts by Free Drugs Service Initiative under the National Health Mission (NHM) during the last five years, year-wise and district -wise?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

- (a) : The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare supports the 'Free Diagnostics Service Initiative' (FDSI) programme under the National Health Mission (NHM). The programme was launched in July 2015 with the aim to provide diagnostics free of cost to all beneficiaries. The programme ensures availability of pathological and radiological diagnostic services. The FDSI recommends provision of 14 tests at Sub Centre (SC), 63 tests at Primary Health Centre (PHC), 97 tests at Community Health Centre (CHC), 111 tests at Sub-District Hospital (SDH) and 134 tests at District Hospital (DH).

The Government of Tamil Nadu has notified the number of diagnostic test availability at each level of the health facility vide G.O number 274. As per the G.O the number of test at PHCs and CHCs are 63 tests and 97 tests respectively including in the districts of Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai . The year-wise details of beneficiaries visited at the public healthcare facilities as per the HMIS portal are as mentioned below:

| No. of beneficiary footfall   |   2024-25 (April 2024- Jan 2025) |   2023-24 |   2022-23 |   2021-22 |   2020-21 |
|-------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Pudukottai                    |                          7987171 |   9154342 |   7587477 |   7445123 |   6535947 |
| Tiruchirappalli               |                          8672868 |   9534168 |   8915706 |   5993634 |   4744700 |

support is provided to States/UTs to ensure the availability of quality, essential, and generic medicines across all States/UTs. Over the past five years, the Free Drugs Service Initiative has provided the following benefits across all States/UTs including Tiruchirappalli and Pudukottai districts in Tamil Nadu:

- i. In 2015, the National Health Mission launched the "Free Drugs Service Initiative" (FDSI) to improve the accessibility of free medicines. The initiative supplements the state's efforts to ensure the availability of free medicines to healthcare seekers at District Hospital and below-level facilities.
2. ii.To ensure the provision of free essential medicines NHM support the States/UTs technically and financially for following activities:
- a. Procurement of drugs
- b. Strengthening of Supply Chain System
- c. Logistics of drugs
- d. Drug Warehouse
- iii. The government of India, under the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) also has recommended following facility-wise Essential Medicines Lists (EMLs) to the State:
- a. AAM- Sub Centre - 106
- b. AAM - PHC/UPHC- 172
- c. Community Health Centre (CHC)- 300
- d. Sub District Hospital (SDH) - 318
- e. District Hospital (DH)- 381

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