• Background :
• Quality diagnosis is vital for medical practitioners to make effective decisions about treatment. Access and availability of quality Radiology and Laboratory Services have been a key challenge for the health system. The out of pocket expenditure of the patients on diagnostic tests are increasing and forms the second major segment of such expenditure after medicine. Hence, provisioning of quality diagnostic services (laboratory and radiological services) in public health facilities is critical for ensuring evidence based care and reducing out of pocket expenditure.
• To address the above issues, Chief Minister's Free Diagnostics Services Programme is envisaged to ensure availability of minimum set of diagnostic services at government health institutions. Under Chief Minister's Free Diagnostic Services Programme CT Scan, X- Ray and Laboratory services are provided in the State of Assam free of cost to all patients in Govt. Health Institutions irrespective of APL/BPL status.
• Objective of the Scheme:
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• To provide the essential diagnostic services free of cost to all patients visiting government hospitals. No user charges will be levied on the patient.
• Ensure the availability of a minimum set of diagnostics appropriate to the level of care.
• Reduce high out of pocket expenditure incurred by patients for diagnostics.
• Use of appropriate diagnostics to screen patients for a set of chronic conditions so as to enable secondary prevention measures.
• Improve overall quality of healthcare and patients experience as a result of availability of comprehensive healthcare in public health facilities.
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• Targeted Beneficiary and Benefits Available:
• The Services available under this programme are CT scan service, X-Ray service and laboratory service
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• CT Scan Services:
• Free CT scan services are being implemented in 30 District Hospital/Sub District Hospital locations in PPP mode with M/S. Spandan Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd.( Service Provider).
• The reporting of CT Scan image is done through tele radiology. CT scan in normal cases is to be reported within 6 hours and emergency cases within 2 hours. The service is provided completely cashless to all patients referred by Govt. Health Facility.
• The scheme was formally launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam on 11th May, 2017. Till 30^th November 2025, 19,42,582 no. of beneficiaries availed the service.
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• X- Ray services:
• Free X-Ray services are being implemented in 164 health facilities in the districts of the State of Assam in PPP mode with M/S. Krsnaa Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd. (Service Provider). Till date, the service has been made operational in 156 health facilities including Civil Hospital, Sub-divisional Civil Hospital in some of the identified Community Health Centers (CHCs) and Primary Health Centers (PHCs).
• The reporting of X-Ray image is also done through tele radiology. X-Ray image captured in the facility is digitally transmitted to locations outside the State by the Service Provider for examination and reporting by qualified Radiologist. All the results to be interpreted, diagnosed and reported within 6 hrs. of the test, if the tests were done between 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. If the tests were done between 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. next morning, the report would be provided on or before 10 A.M. of same day. The service is provided completely cashless to all patients referred by Govt. Health Facility.
• The scheme was formally launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Assam on 11th May, 2017. Till 30^th Nobember 2025, 54,82,442 no. of beneficiaries availed the service.
• Laboratory Services :
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• Background and Rationale:
• To strengthen access to diagnostic services and reduce the financial burden on patients, the State of Assam implemented a strategic initiative to scale up the availability of diagnostics from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) to District Hospitals (DHs). This initiative aligns with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS) 2022 and addresses the diagnostic needs across all levels of the public health system.
• Key Intervention:
• Strengthening in-house laboratory capacity across public health facilities.
• Expanding the diagnostic test menu in accordance with IPHS 2022 and the Clinical Establishment (Amendment) Rules, 2020.
• Outsource high end tests where intervention of specialists is required (per test basis at CGHS discounted rate).
• Effective utilisation of existing human resources, especially laboratory technicians.
• Outcomes Achieved:
• The availability of laboratory tests has significantly increased across all levels of public health facilities, in alignment with the Indian Public Health Standards (IPHS). The expanded diagnostic range now includes basic tests such as blood sugar, haemoglobin, liver function tests (LFT), and kidney function tests (KFT) as well as medium to high-end investigations like HbA1c, TSH, FT3, FT4, D-Dimer, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, viral load assays, blood culture, urine culture, and cytology tests.
• Impact:
• Improved patient access to essential and advanced diagnostics at the point of care.
• Reduction in patient referrals and travel burden for tests.
• Efficient use of public funds through rational in-house testing and strategic outsourcing.
• Strengthened primary healthcare delivery, ensuring comprehensive care under AAM.

Some Glimpses of Outsourced and In-house Laboratory

Till 30^th November 2025, 1,92,36,790 no. of beneficiaries availed the service since inception.