‘Non payment of bills’: CT & MRI scan services suspended in 14 district hospitals, including Udupi

Krishna Diagnostics Ltd. has temporarily suspended CT and MRI scan services in 14 district hospitals due to the state government’s failure to pay bills for the past six months.

The Pune-based company had entered into an agreement with the Department of Health and Family Welfare in 2017 to provide diagnostic services in Udupi, Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Haveri, Davanagere, Yadgir, and Bagalkot district hospitals.

Accordingly, for the last six years, the company has been offering CT scan in 14 districts and MRI scan in five districts. The company was responsible for handling machine repairs and ensuring that patients were scanned at other locations when machines broke down, covering the expenses themselves. However, it is reported that payments have been pending for the last six months.

On September 22, the company issued a notice to all 14 district surgeons, informing them that owing to non-payment from the state’s National Health Mission, services would be temporarily suspended from September 24 until the pending dues are settled. The company also mentioned that would offer scanning service for only those patients who pay directly. While regular services were halted, emergency services were provided at some locations on Tuesday.

District hospitals in Udupi, Kolar, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Chikkamagaluru, Uttara Kannada, Chamarajanagar, Kodagu, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Haveri, Davanagere, Yadgir, and Bagalkot have been affected as a result.

District Surgeons’ statement on the issue

Dr. Shivananda Masthiholi, District Surgeon, Vijayapura said, “Each district hospital has one CT and MRI scan machine, and services are being provided through Krishna Diagnostics Ltd. as per a government tender. Services have been halted as of Tuesday due to issues with payments and machine malfunctions.”

“The company had issued a notice about suspending services, but this is a state-level agreement, so it may not be possible to suspend services locally. We have communicated this to the department commissioner, and there are no issues with emergency services in Udupi,” informed Dr. Ashok, District Surgeon, Udupi.

Dr. Shivaprakash, Superintendent, Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru stated, “There are no issues with CT and MRI scans at Dakshina Kannada district hospital. Hindlabs, located in the Wenlock Hospital campus, has been subcontracted to provide these services at affordable rates.”

News Report by Rangappa Gadara