National Essential Diagnostics List

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) recently initiated the process of revising the current National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) released in 2019.

About National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL):

• The NEDL lists the essential and most basic tests that should be available at various levels of healthcare facilities in the country.
• This includes at the village level, in sub-health centres, health and wellness centres, and primary health centres (PHCs).
• Essential diagnostic tests shall meet population healthcare needs, selected based on disease prevalence, public health relevance, efficacy, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness.
• In 2018, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had recommended the development and implementation of an NEDL.
• This is to facilitate the availability of in-vitro diagnostics across the various tiers of the healthcare pyramid, in facilities with or without an onsite laboratory.
• ICMR then released India’s first NEDL in 2019 to make the availability of diagnostics an essential component of the healthcare system.

Revised National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL):

• ICMR asked stakeholders to consider factors such as essentiality of test, diseases burden, and the alignment with public health standards before proposal.
• It should have a documented use and necessity at suggested level, and align with availability of equipment, infrastructure, manpower, and state programs.
• This shall be in line with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS), 2022.
  • IPHS are a set of standards that provide benchmarks for the quality of health services.
  • The standards cover infrastructure, human resources, drugs, diagnostics, equipment, quality, and governance requirements.

About Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR):

• The ICMR, New Delhi, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
• It was formed in 1911 and is one of the oldest medical research bodies in the world.
• It aligns research with national health priorities, focusing on communicable diseases, maternal/child health, nutrition, and non-communicable diseases.
• Structure:
• Governing Body– presided over by the Union Health Minister.
• Scientific Advisory Board– It assists in scientific and technical matters through eminent experts in different biomedical disciplines.
• The Board is assisted by Scientific Advisory Groups, Expert Groups, Task Forces, Steering Committees etc. which evaluate and monitor research activities.

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