Cutbacks are at a slow pace about diagnostic tests being introduced, following the implementation of treatment protocols, a measure designed to reduce costs and thus the clawback for diagnostic laboratories.

According to sources from primary health care (PHC) agencies, more than 100 treatment protocols have been established. Several of them are related only to medicines and about 60 have to do with PHC including diagnostic tests.

Of these protocols, however, only 3-4 have received a gazette notification, which means that they are binding in their implementation. In particular, protocols for hyperlipidemia and osteoporosis have been put into full implementation, but protocols such as those for heart failure, diabetes, and obesity are pending digitization and implementation.