Rapid Test Kits for Hepatitis B, Sickle Cell Anemia to Be Available Soon at Government PHCs - Check All the Details

The Government has decided in the interest of people to make Hepatitis B, Cell Anaemia’s rapid test kits to be nade available at the PCHs.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made a way forward to ensure regular and on-time detection of common diseases like Hepatitis B, sickle cell anaemia and syphilis at the primary level. The organisation suggested placing machinery for rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) that can help diagnose them should be available at rural health centres.

Rapid Test Kits For Hepatitis, Sickle And Cell Anaemia To Be Available At PHCs

The move has cultivated a plan to include the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs Sub-Centres and primary health centres under its coverage. As per the sources, it has been noted down that the move is backed by feedback that has been received from parallel national programs and other people who have expertise over the domain. The significant people in their reviews have made a move to highlight the rampant and relevant significance of ensuring rapid diagnostic tools at primary health facilities, which will help in the early detection and treatment.

Many RDTs that are already available in the market have not survived the check that can ensure the right proof needed as evidence of robust development. Officials have claimed that these tests might be included in the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) in the future, once the necessary data is critically assessed through the proper process.

The apex health research agency, the ICMR, has been noted to have made the NEDL in 2019 to establish the minimal and basic standards required for the availability of diagnostic facilities at health facilities in India for Hepatitis B Patients. Recently, the provisions have been updated, and in the new move, it has been noted that it is imperative to include RDTs and other requirements.

For instance, in the year 2019, NEDL had decided to hold back some diagnostic tests under the “hub-and-spoke” model at the various primary health centres.

What Is A Hub And Spoke Model

A hub and spoke model in a laboratory setting is known to be a strategy for healthcare delivery in which a main, well-established hub” laboratory aims to provide a varied and specialized diagnostic services, while on the other hand, the smaller, and the less equipped is known to be a “spoke” laboratory which is equipped with a task of handling the routine and less convoluted testing, with samples often transferred between the two. However, it has been made clear that in the latest equipment list, which was recently made available, it highlights that these tests should be made available at the PHCs themselves, unlike until now.

Time Efficient And Less Tedious

This will ensure less time and will help in getting rid of the tedious task that requires the need for sample transfer from one hub to another, and hence it will end up making it possible to detect and treat a large array of health conditions at the lower level, the ICMR claims.

The latest and updated NEDL also highlights the problem of new structure and nomenclature of healthcare facilities, which has made the move to make the sub-centres now being referred to as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.

An Expert-Oriented Decision

The revision that was made by the National Essential Diagnostics List (NEDL) was ensured only after they had gone under a critical eye and went through large and extensive engagement that involved many stakeholders, holders and parties of varied interests. In the course of the action, the initial step began as an open call on the ICMR website, which aimed to invite suggestions on the pre-existing Essential Diagnostics List.

This initial move ensures the right momentum by calling for four rounds of consultations that aimed to discuss all the recorded suggestions with the parties involved and stakeholders.

Post which, in the final move, the draft ended up revising the list was deliberated with representatives from various State NHM and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

The final list was indeed a reflection of refined expertise as it incorporated the in-depth feedback and recommendations received in all consultations.