The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has proposed a revised version of the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL), which outlines the minimum diagnostic tests that should be accessible at different healthcare facility levels across the country.
According to the updated draft, village-level health centers should provide nine key diagnostic tests, including those for diabetes, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and syphilis. Additionally, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are expected to offer Hepatitis B testing, in addition to the nine tests available at the village-level centers.
This revised list has been developed with input from various stakeholders and after several rounds of consultations. It expands on the initial 2019 NEDL and includes recommendations for diagnostic tests across all healthcare facility levels, from village-level health centers to district hospitals (DHs), encompassing Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, primary health centers (PHCs), community health centers (CHCs), and sub-district hospitals (SDHs).
The draft of the second NEDL has been released for public feedback, allowing various stakeholders to provide comments. The new guidelines emphasize the importance of making diagnostic tests for common illnesses like dengue, Japanese Encephalitis, and other diseases accessible at PHCs, along with facilities for X-rays and ECGs. At the district hospital level, the draft recommends the provision of CT scans, MRIs, mammography, and echocardiography.
The NEDL was first introduced by ICMR in 2019 to ensure that diagnostics become an integral part of the healthcare system. The revised version takes into account recent developments, including the renaming of Sub Health Centres as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. It also integrates new guidelines such as the Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL) for district hospitals (2021) and the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) for various healthcare facilities (2022). The revised list aligns with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s (MoHFW) guidance documents and national health programs, ensuring comprehensive diagnostic coverage across healthcare facilities in India.
