The list will include the minimum number of tests that should be available at various levels of healthcare facilities, including village level, Sub Health Centre/Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs), Primary Health Centres (PHC)/HWCs, Community Health Centres (CHC), Sub-District Hospital (SDH), and District Hospital (DH).
The health ministry had issued the first NEDL in 2019 after carefully considering the disease burden data across states, alignment with national programmes and adherence to the public health standards.
Five years after the first list was issued, the ICMR sought suggestions from stakeholders for revision of NEDL.
“ICMR invites suggestions for revision of National Essential Diagnostics List The Indian Council of Medical Research released the first National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) in 2019 to make the availability of diagnostics an essential component of the health care system,” it said.
The suggestions have to be submitted by February 29. India is the first country to release the NEDL. “The required manpower, infrastructure and logistical support required at each health facility to carry out the tests were also recommended in line with the IPHS (2012) guidelines,” the ICMR said.
