Free MRI, CT scan at 21 govt-approved labs

PATIENTS CAN GET A REFERRAL FOR THESE TESTS FROM 30 DELHI GOVT HOSPITALS AND 23 POLYCLINICS. ONCE THIS IS DONE, THE TESTS WILL BE DONE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS

NEWDELHI:The Delhi government has tied up with 21 laboratories across the city to provide 13 expensive tests like PET, CT, MRI, echo for free.

Patients can get a referral for these tests from 30 Delhi government hospitals and 23 polyclinics. Once this is done, the tests will be done within seven days.

The government had tied up with eight private labs in December to provide free MRI and CT scan facility to people below the poverty line.

“When we started the MRI/ CT scan facilities people told me that getting the referral certificate is difficult. I was also told to consider about the people above the poverty line. So, we have withdrawn all the conditions. Anyone living Delhi can go to the 53 hospitals or polyclinics to get the referral,” said Satyendar Jain, Delhi health minister, at the Annual Day Function of Forensic Science Laboratory.

The minister added that, “People have to pay at least ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 even at AIIMS to get these tests. But, we will do it for free.”

The minister also said that the proposal for another forensic lab in Delhi is in “advanced stage”.

At present, there is only one government facility for testing of forensic samples in Delhi.

He congratulated all the staff members of the forensic laboratory for working hard and bringing down the pendency in all divisions and promised better working conditions.

“It is because of your hard work that the pendency has come down from 5,000 samples to 3,000. And, the new samples are dealt with within a month or a month and a half. There have been cases where the reports have been submitted before the chargesheet is filed,” Jain said, who is also the home minister.