Parliament Question: Free Diagnostics Service Initiative

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3654 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13thMARCH, 2026 FREE DIAGNOSTICS SERVICE INITIATIVE 3654.ADVGOWAALKAGADAPADAVI: Will the Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFAREbe pleasedtostate: (a)the progress made inimplementingthe FreeDiagnostics ServiceInitiative inpublic health facilities across Maharashtra andMadhya Pradesh, includingthe number of facilities offering free tests andthe range of diagnostic services provided; (b) the annual number of patients benefiting from free diagnostic services and the estimated out-of-pocket expendituressavings; (c)the financialoutlays andpartnerships with private diagnostic providers, if any; (d) the challenges faced in ensuring quality and timely availability of diagnostic services, particularlyinrural andtribal areas; and (e)the steps takentoexpandand standardise diagnostic services across all districts? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRIPRATAPRAO JADHAV) (a)to (e): Public Health’ & ‘Hospitals’ are Statesubjects, hence,the primary responsibility of providing basic healthcare services to all the citizens of the country lies with respective State/UTGovernment. Free Diagnostics Service Initiative’ (FDSI) under National Health Mission (NHM) was launched in 2015 with the aim to provide accessible and affordable pathological and radiological diagnostics services closer to the community which in turn reduces the Out-of- Pocket Expenditure (OOPE).Under FDSI, Government of India provides financialsupport to States/UTs including Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh for 14 tests at Sub Health Centres (SHCs), 63 tests at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), 97 tests at Community Health Centres (CHCs), 111tests at Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs) and134tests at District Hospitals (DHs). The three components under the umbrella of the FDSI include (i) Free Laboratory Services which provide a range of essential diagnostic packages free of cost at different levelsof care, complementing otherexisting healthcare services and implemented in36 States/UTs ; (ii) CTscan Services supported at the District Hospital leveland(iii)Tele-radiology Services aimed to bridge the gapin infrastructure and shortage of specialist clinicians, especially radiologists by providing digitization and transmission of radiological images (X-ray, CT, and MRI) from peripheral health facilities to a remote hub having radiologists leading to a cost-effective healthintervention. States/UTs have adopted different modes of service delivery which include in-house mode, public private partnership andmixedmode. Under the CSS component of Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) and Block Public Health Units (BPHUs) are established to strengthen diagnostic capacities, address infrastructure gaps, and improve sample transportation systems across the country, including intribal andrural areas. The Government of India providestechnical andfinancialsupport toStates/UTs tostrengthen diagnostic services through standard treatment and testing protocols, capacity building of laboratory personnel, quality assurance mechanisms and strengthening of laboratory infrastructure. Financial support under the FDSI is provided based on the proposals received in the form of Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) under NHM. Government of India provides approval for the proposals in the form of Record of Proceedings (RoPs) as per norms & available resources. The details of RoPsissued to States/UTs including Maharashtra andMadhya Pradesh,are available at following web link: https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&sublinkid=1377&lid=744 ****