The Centre is set to announce a scheme for providing free diagnostic tests, including several blood tests, x-rays and advanced CT scans, for those visiting public health facilities.Private service providers will be roped in wherever required. While the idea of providing free diagnostics has been hailed by all, health economists and public health experts expressed concern over outsourcing the tests to the private sector, arguing that it was an “expensive and inefficient“ way to provide the services. Costs of drugs and diagnostics constitute between 70% and 80% of health expenditure in the country and are estimated to push five crore people below the poverty line annually .
The proposed `national strategy for providing essential diagnostics facilities free for all' is meant for anyone visiting a public health facility -from a village health post to a district hospital. A panel of experts…
