Context:
∙ The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) started revising the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) for the first time.
About the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL):
∙ Background: In 2018, the WHO had recommended the development and implementation of an NEDL to facilitate the availability of in-vitro diagnostics across the various tiers of the healthcare pyramid, in facilities with or without an onsite laboratory.
∙ India’s first NEDL was released in 2019 by ICMR, to make the availability of diagnostics an essential component of the healthcare system.
∙ It lists the essential and most basic tests that should be available at various levels of healthcare facilities at the village level, in sub-health centres, health and wellness centres, and primary health centres.
∙ It contains the minimum diagnostic tests that should be available at healthcare facilities;
Criteria for proposing additional tests:
a. Essentiality of the test: Essential diagnostic tests are those that satisfy the priority health care needs of the population and should be selected on the basis of:
i. Disease prevalence
ii. public health relevance;
iii. Evidence of efficacy
iv. accuracy,
v. Cost effectiveness.
b. Disease burden: The test should focus on conditions with a high disease burden or having significant public health relevance.
∙ There should be a clear impact on disease diagnosis and management by the introduction of diagnostic tests.
c. Alignment with Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022: The proposed test should have documented utility and necessity at the level for which it is suggested.
∙ The proposed addition should be in alignment with the availability of equipment, infrastructure and manpower, as per IPHS 2022.
About ICMR:
∙ It is the apex body in India for formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research
∙ It conducts, coordinates and implements medical research for the benefit of the Society.
∙ It translates medical innovations into products/processes and introduces them into the public health system.
