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India's Diagnostics Industry

Free Diagnostics in Public Hospitals

How the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative launched in 2015 aims to provide essential tests free in public facilities, often through public-private partnerships.

India aims to offer free diagnostics in public facilities.

Free Diagnostics Service Initiative

Launched in 2015 under the National Health Mission.

Tests

Essential pathology, CT scans and teleradiology at public facilities.

PPPs

Many states partner with private firms to run labs and scans in public hospitals.

Benefits

Reduces out-of-pocket spending, a big burden on poor families.

Challenges

  • Reagent shortages.
  • Staffing gaps.
  • Quality monitoring.

Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

Health and wellness centres offer basic tests.

The free test

A patient at a district hospital gets a free CT scan run by a private partner under the scheme.

Thinking public hospitals can't offer tests

Free diagnostics programmes exist.

Key takeaways
  • Free diagnostics launched in 2015.
  • It covers essential tests.
  • PPPs run many labs.
  • It reduces out-of-pocket costs.
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