Latest news with #KrishnaDiagnostics
Time of India
28-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Sadar offering CT-scan on prescriptions from private docs
1 2 Ranchi: People carrying prescriptions from private doctors can also avail Computed Tomography Scan (CT) at a nominal charge of Rs 1,035 at Sadar hospital. The move is aimed to offer financial relief to patients, especially from low-income families, officials said. Since its launch on June 10, the modern diagnostic facility equipped with a 128-slice CT scan machine has seen a surge in footfall, with many patients reporting that they had long delayed the test due to high charges at private centres. Under public-private partnership (PPP) model, the service is being managed by Krishna Diagnostics. The initiative ensures that both Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries and non-Ayushman patients have access to affordable imaging services. While tests are free for Ayushman cardholders, others are charged as per Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) rates Rs 1,035 for CT scans and Rs 1,662 for MRIs. Ranchi civil surgeon, Dr Prabhat Kumar, said, " Patients no longer need referrals from government doctors. Anyone can walk in with any valid prescription from a private practitioner, register at the counter, and get the test done with no additional approval needed. For many, this flexibility has been transformative. Shanti Devi, a resident of Morabadi, said, "My father was asked to get a CT scan. Private labs quoted Rs 4,200, which we couldn't afford. At Sadar, we paid Rs 1,035, and everything was managed professionally. It was a huge relief." Another patient, Ashok Kumar from Lalpur, said, "I was hesitant to get the scan done due to cost. But when I heard that it's available at just Rs 1,035 at Sadar even on a private doctor's prescription, I didn't wait. The machine is modern, and the staff was very supportive." Sunita Kumari, a domestic worker who brought her 10-year-old son for a scan, said, "Earlier, I would've had to borrow money or skip the test. Now, I got it done at a cost we could manage. This is real help for people like us." Additionally, the hospital will start Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services at affordable rates for all patients, including those with prescriptions from private doctors. The service is expected to begin next week.
Hindustan Times
11-06-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Aapli Chikitsa in limbo amid early monsoon
MUMBAI: The monsoon has only just arrived in Mumbai but the city's public health infrastructure is already under strain. Exposing a critical gap in preparedness is the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) suspended public diagnostic scheme, Aapli Chikitsa ('Your Diagnosis'). Under the scheme, the BMC plans to roll out diagnostic services at 498 civic health institutions—including 440 HBT clinics, 30 maternity homes, three urban health centres, five specialty hospitals, 16 suburban hospitals, and its four major hospitals in Mumbai. Launched in 2019 as a flagship initiative to provide free or low-cost diagnostic tests at municipal health centres, Aapli Chikitsa has been non-operational at a time when seasonal illnesses are beginning to surge. It has been shut since December 15 last year. The scheme had significantly improved access to tests such as Complete Blood Count (CBC), blood sugar and urine analysis for citizens, particularly those from low-income backgrounds who depend on local dispensaries. The disruption began after Krishna Diagnostics, the private firm contracted for four years, hit its financial and test volume ceiling within just 18 months. Since then, the BMC has failed to appoint a new vendor, severely compromising diagnostic services across the city's 24 administrative wards. With the onset of the monsoon, common ailments such as fever, diarrhoea and respiratory infections are on the rise. However, the absence of local diagnostic facilities has forced patients to rely on private laboratories they can ill-afford. Farida Shaikh, a domestic worker from Kurla, said her son had a stomach infection and high fever. 'The clinic gave him medicines but told us to go to Sion Hospital for tests. I lost a day's work just for this,' she said. Pramod Jadhav, a retired school teacher from Dahisar, expressed similar concerns. 'My wife is diabetic and hypertensive. We used to get monthly tests done at the local civic clinic. Now we've been told to go to a Kandivali municipal hospital. It's far, tiring, and private labs are expensive,' he said. Adding to the frustration is the BMC's delayed procurement process. A new tender floated on January 21 was abruptly cancelled in March, without explanation. A revised tender was issued on March 13, but three months on, the contract remains in limbo. A civic official said the tender is in its final approval stage, although even after it is finalised, the new service provider would require at least a month to mobilise staff, set up equipment and resume operations. Health economist Dr Ravi Duggal stressed the urgency of restoring these services. 'The very foundation of primary healthcare relies on timely diagnosis. Even if the full panel of 100 tests isn't feasible right away, at least 15 to 20 core tests—like CBC, urine and blood sugar—must be made available immediately. Without them, dispensaries become mere prescription counters. In the context of rising dengue, leptospirosis and other monsoon-linked diseases, this delay could prove dangerous. The BMC must act swiftly; this is no less than a public health emergency.' Despite phone calls and text messages, Vipin Sharma, additional commissioner (health), BMC, did not respond.
Time of India
02-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Ranchi sadar hosp to start CT scan services this week
1 2 Ranchi: The Ranchi sadar hospital will roll out CT scan services later this week for its patients, its management said on Monday. A three-day trial run of the machine, which will be operated under public-private partnership (PPP) mode, began on Sunday. "The facility will be fully functional and open to patients after the trial. An MRI machine will also be installed in 15 days," civil surgeon Dr Prabhat Kumar said. The hospital's MoU with Krishna Diagnostics mandate that all patients admitted under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme will be provided with free CT scan services. For others, tests will be conducted based on the Central Govt Health Scheme (CGHS) rates, beginning from Rs 1,050. Dr Kumar said, "An added benefit of the partnership is the revenue-sharing clause outlined in the MoU. Krishna Diagnostics will share 15% of its profits with the Sadar Hospital. These funds would contribute to the development of hospital infrastructure and services, benefiting patients." The hospital would also set up a Cath Lab for cardiac care. This facility, being constructed at a cost of around Rs 8 crore, will provide advanced treatment options for heart patients, reducing the need for referrals to private hospitals. Lauding the move, Rekha Devi of Kanke said, "I was delaying a test as the price of CT scans in private centres was beyond my reach. Undergoing the test at the sadar hospital will save both money and time."
