After successful implementation of a scheme for free supply of medicines in hospitals, the Rajasthan Government started the free diagnostic test facility at all primary health centres situated across the State to mark the Independence Day on Thursday. The scheme for free tests for all patients was introduced at all medical colleges, district hospitals and satellite hospitals on the World Health Day on April 7 this year. State Medical and Health Minister A. A. Khan said here that the scheme’s extension to PHCs would benefit the patients in the rural areas who find it difficult to travel to towns for diagnostic tests. Mr. Khan said arrangements had been made at all the 1,610 PHCs functioning in villages across the State for conducting the tests with sufficient number of apparatuses, adequate human resource and furnished laboratories and lab reagents. The test facility will also be available at 195 dispensaries in small towns. The Minister said the tests of 15 types would be available free of cost to every patient visiting these medical institutions. The number of tests conducted in the government hospitals since April 7 this year had touched 80 lakh, he added. Mr. Khan said the Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, would be tabled in the State Assembly’s monsoon session beginning on August 26 to inform the House of the rules and regulations under the statute notified by the State Government in June this year.