New Delhi: Low-income group patients can now undergo MRI and CT scan free of cost at seven private laboratories with which the government has tied-up. Patients who have been residents of the national capital for three years and have an annual family income up to Rs 3 lakh can avail the facility.
They will have to show income certificate and residential proofs, like Aadhaar card, ration card or driving licence to avail this facility.
The Aam Aadmi Party government had in February this year announced free of cost MRI and CT scan facility at its all hospitals. “Patients, who are referred by identified hospital authorities, can undergo MRI and CT scan at free of charge at seven NABH accredited centres. However, they have to seek prior appointment with these labs before availing such facility,” Delhi health minister Satyendar Jain said.
He added that the city government will reimburse these labs at CGHS rates decided by the Centre. The decision was taken by Delhi Arogya Kosh in view of long queues for MRI and CT scan in government hospitals, where patients wait for up to three years in some cases.
The ten hospitals from where eligible patients will be referred to the laboratories include G.B. Pant Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital, GTB Hospital, DDU Hospital, Dr. BSA Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Janakpuri Super Speciality Hospital, Institute of Human Behaviour and Allied Sciences, Delhi State Cancer Institute and Chacha Nehru Bal Chikitsalaya.
The private laboratories where the patients can undergo MRI and CT Scan free of charge include Dr. Anand’s Imaging Centre (Preet Vihar), Dr. Gulati Imaging Institute (Hauz Khas), Focus Imaging & Research Centre (Green Park Extn), Ganesh Diagnostics & Imaging Centre (Rohini), Mahajan Imaging Pvt. Ltd (Hauz Khas), Platinum Imaging Centre (Dayanand Vihar) and Saral Advanced Diagnostics (Pitampura).
Mr Jain asserted that the move will decrease the load on MRI and CT scan facility in Delhi government hospitals substantially and help in providing timely and prompt treatment to all patients in general and those belonging to EWS category in particular.
The minister added that the government has “saved money” in its several PWD projects which will be used to provide this facility to the people. Moreover, through this, MRI and CT scan facility will be extended to even those identified hospitals, where these tests are currently unavailable, Mr Jain said.
