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ARUNACHAL PRADESH: Pradesh Sets Standard for Diagnostic Test Rates, Paving the Way for Other States
Arunachal Pradesh is poised to become the trailblazer in India by implementing standardized price ranges for diagnostic tests conducted by laboratories. The Union government is urging other states to follow suit and adopt this pioneering model. While certain states and union territories like Delhi and Maharashtra had previously imposed price caps on specific diagnostic tests, Arunachal Pradesh has taken a more comprehensive approach. It has devised a standardized price range for nearly 160 types of tests and is currently awaiting approval from the Union health ministry before its implementation.
The proposed rates by the Arunachal Pradesh government align with the provisions laid out in India's Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, enacted by Parliament in 2010. This act empowers the formulation of rules governing public and private therapeutic and diagnostic centers, including single-doctor clinics, nursing homes, and large hospitals.
Eleven states and seven union territories, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Haryana, Assam, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim, have already adopted the Clinical Establishment Act. However, the specific rules and regulations under this act are yet to be fully defined.
The proposal from the Arunachal Pradesh government was presented during the 13th National Council for Clinical Establishment (NCCE) meeting held in March this year. Tasso Kampo, a senior official at the Arunachal Pradesh Directorate of Health Services, stated that they have been eagerly anticipating the central government's approval before proceeding with the proposed rates.
According to the suggested rates, diagnostic services in Arunachal Pradesh would not exceed Rs 50-100 for a hemoglobin test, Rs 300-500 for a complete blood count, and Rs 800-1,000 for a liver function test. Other examples include Rs 1,000-2,000 for a pap smear test (for cervical cancer), Rs 3,000-6,000 for a CT scan (for the complete abdomen), and Rs 4,000-7,000 for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
While states are advised to consider Arunachal Pradesh's proposal, a senior official from the Union health ministry emphasized the need to account for local dynamics. Different states may require varying rate structures, as what may be suitable for a northeastern state might not be applicable to a state like Uttar Pradesh.
Supporters of consumer rights and healthcare regulation have commended Arunachal Pradesh's initiative, recognizing it as a significant step toward promoting price transparency and affordability in diagnostic services. However, some industry leaders argue that instead of price regulation, the focus should be on ensuring that all diagnostic centers adhere to minimum standards for personnel qualifications, infrastructure requirements, and service quality under the Clinical Establishment Act. They assert that private diagnostic centers should be permitted to operate based on market dynamics, acknowledging that quality services often come at a higher price.