By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, May 29: The Meghalaya government has informed that the state has undertaken a detailed assessment of laboratory service needs, aligning them with the essential healthcare requirements of its people.
These diagnostic tests have been identified based on the current disease burden, service utilisation patterns and feasibility of implementation, while also considering the norms prescribed under the Free Diagnostics Service Initiative (FDSI) by the Union Health Ministry.
As per the notification, public health facilities across Meghalaya will provide a range of essential laboratory services.
District hospitals will offer 93 essential tests, compared to the FDSI/IPHS norm of 134, while Community Health Centres (CHCs) will provide 52 essential tests, against the prescribed 97.
On the other hand, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) will offer 43 essential tests, while Sub-Centres will deliver all 14 essential tests as per the national guidelines.
The notification further stated that this initiative will enable standardised service delivery, improved access to diagnostics and better monitoring of healthcare outcomes across the state.