The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published the draft second edition of the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) to improve diagnostic services in the country. The stakeholders are requested to provide suggestions on or before January 15, 2025.

Key Takeaways

• Purpose of the Revised NEDL:

Extend diagnostic services from district hospitals to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Sub-Centres), Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), and Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs).
Enhance access to diagnostic tests in rural and underserved areas to ensure equitable healthcare.

• Alignment with National Health Programmes

Ensure alignment with national health initiatives such as National Tuberculosis Control Programme, HIV/AIDS Programme, Malaria Eradication Programme, and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) management.

• Updates from the First Edition (2019)

The first NEDL outlined the minimum essential diagnostic tests to be conducted at different levels of healthcare.
The new draft includes the progress in healthcare and diagnostics, along with the inputs from experts, policymakers, and healthcare professionals.

• Important Changes in the New Version

Healthcare Facility Nomenclature: Sub-Centres have been renamed as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme.
Incorporation of new diagnostic technologies like point-of-care testing and molecular diagnostics, which are based on the early detection of diseases.
Low-cost diagnostic solutions should be highlighted to increase access for economically disadvantaged populations.

• Harmonization with Key Guidelines:

The new NEDL is in consonance with documents like the Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHL) (2021) and Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) (2022).
Adherence to such guidelines ensures uniform quality at all levels of health care facilities.

• Technological Advancements:

The inclusion of innovative diagnostic techniques aims to bridge the gap in resource-poor settings and improve healthcare outcomes.
Recommendations focus on introducing affordable diagnostic technologies that are deployable in rural areas.

• Impact on Public Health:

Improved access to diagnostics will ensure early detection and prompt treatment that would improve the health condition of people in rural regions.
It would strengthen the Indian health infrastructure with standardized diagnostic services at all the levels of health care.

• Involvement of Stakeholders:

Policy makers, the healthcare professionals and the common public are being sought to send in their suggestions till 15 January 2025.The revised NEDL is an integral part of the vision for health care in India under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, with the aim to improve accessibility, affordability, and quality of health care services. Focusing on diagnostics, this update is a major step towards achieving equitable health care for all citizens of the country.