Diagnostics services as per guidelines for National Free Diagnostic Initiative need to be available at HWC is?

Appeared in: Hariyana-CHO-2021

Explanation

The National Free Diagnostic Initiative mandates a specific number of free tests at different public health facilities.
As per these guidelines, Health and Wellness Centres at the Sub Health Centre (SHC-HWC) level must provide 7 essential diagnostic tests.
Health and Wellness Centres at the Primary Health Centre (PHC-HWC) level are equipped to provide an expanded list of 19 free diagnostic tests.
This structure ensures essential point-of-care testing is available at the community level, facilitating early diagnosis and management.

Option A: This option incorrectly states 10 investigations for the Sub Health Centre. The correct number is 7.
Option B: This option incorrectly states 9 investigations for the Sub Health Centre and 15 for the Primary Health Centre. The correct numbers are 7 and 19, respectively.
Option D: This option incorrectly states 6 investigations for the Sub Health Centre and 12 for the Primary Health Centre. These numbers are lower than the mandated minimums.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Service delivery guidelines under the National Free Diagnostic Initiative at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs) as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
The Free Diagnostic Initiative is a cornerstone of strengthening primary healthcare, aiming to reduce patients' out-of-pocket expenditure, which is a major barrier to seeking care.
For a Community Health Officer (CHO) at an HWC, ensuring the availability and functionality of these 7 or 19 tests is a key responsibility. This includes managing inventory of kits, ensuring equipment is calibrated, and performing quality control.
What if? If a patient at an SHC-HWC requires a test not included in the 7 available (e.g., a lipid profile), the CHO's responsibility is to refer the patient to the linked PHC-HWC where the test is available, ensuring continuity of care.

How to Approach the Question

This is a factual recall question based on a national health program.
First, identify the key components of the question: 'National Free Diagnostic Initiative', 'Sub Health Centre (HWC)', and 'Primary Health Centre (PHC)'.
The question asks for the specific number of investigations available at these two levels.
Recall the service delivery framework under the National Health Mission (NHM).
Remember the hierarchy: the number of services increases as you move up from SHC to PHC to CHC.
Match the correct pair of numbers (7 for SHC, 19 for PHC) with the given options.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Service delivery guidelines under the National Free Diagnostic Initiative at Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs).
Stem keywords: Diagnostics services, guidelines, National Free Diagnostic Initiative, HWC, Sub Health Centre, PHC
Lead-in keywords: is

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Practise the full Hariyana-CHO-2021

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.