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.
