State formulates Essentials Diagnostic List to ensure free detection of illness

Stating that since the launch of this ambitious programme in a few years, no hospital will be allowed to deny patients of any tests, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan, said, “The TNMSC has dealt with drug issue so everyone knows they are entitled to free drugs. Now, after the launch of this programme, every citizen of the state will have the right to avail whatever diagnostic is essential, which the state must provide. No hospital will be allowed to deny the citizen of this right.”

In the case of centres or institutions not having the required facilities to conduct the test, he said, “The hub and spoke model will come to play in that aspect wherein the patient’s samples can be sent to a centre that has the required facilities and the reports will be available online.”

While the framework for this programme was formed by the World Health Organisation in May last year, and the Government of India has made a draft – they have not come up with a final plan – no state has tried this programme yet. “Since Tamil Nadu already has a system with drugs, we decided to implement the same model for diagnostics as well. We are basically leveraging our benefits,” added the Health official.

As part of the health budget that was announced on Friday, it was stated that the necessary equipment and consumables for this programme will be supplied, and protocols will be evolved for this.

This scheme will be implemented at a cost of Rs 247 crore over a period of three years.