Telangana to introduce free MRI services in government hospitals via PPP model
The state government aims to provide uninterrupted diagnostic services across all Government General Hospitals within two years.
The Telangana government plans to use a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to operate MRI services in government hospitals to tackle technical issues and maintenance disruptions, according to The Hindu.
Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha directed officials during a review meeting in Hyderabad on Friday to create an action plan to expand these services to all Government General Hospitals (GGHs) across the state within two years.
Mahabubnagar GGH has been chosen for a pilot project to begin the initiative.
The Minister clarified that patients referred by government hospital doctors will not have to pay for these scans, even when private partners manage the services.
A senior health department official stated that the PPP model could lower government spending by approximately 20 per cent compared to the current system while addressing equipment breakdowns.
A team of medical professionals and officials previously studied MRI management models in other states, such as Tamil Nadu, before recommending this approach.
Currently, MRI facilities are available in Hyderabad, Warangal, Adilabad, and Bhupalpally, but several district headquarters including Karimnagar, Khammam, Mahabubnagar, and Nalgonda lack these services in their government hospitals.