Telangana to provide free MRI services in government hospitals
The state government will introduce Magnetic Resonance Imaging under a Public-Private Partnership model, starting with a pilot project in Mahbubnagar.
The Telangana government has decided to introduce Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services in government hospitals using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, according to reports by The New Indian Express and Medical Dialogues.
Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha issued directions to senior health department officials on Friday to create an action plan for the phased rollout. Mahbubnagar Government General Hospital (GGH) will serve as the first site for the pilot project.
The Health Minister said that patients at government hospitals will receive MRI scans without any charge under this proposed arrangement. He also directed officials to expand the facility to all GGHs across the state within two years.
A senior health department official noted that the PPP model could lower government spending by almost 20 per cent compared to the current system. The model aims to resolve issues regarding equipment procurement, maintenance, and breakdowns to ensure continuous service.
Currently, MRI facilities are available at Gandhi Hospital, Osmania General Hospital, NIMS, TIMS, and MNJ Cancer Hospital in Hyderabad, as well as MGM Hospital in Warangal, RIMS Adilabad, and Bhupalpally GGH. Several district headquarters, including Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahbubnagar, and Nalgonda, lack these facilities in their government hospitals.
A team of doctors and officials previously studied PPP-based MRI models in states like Tamil Nadu to assess financial and operational benefits. Rajanarsimha emphasised that private partnerships must not compromise service quality or the delivery of scan reports.