Payment Row Stalls CT, MRI Scans Across Karnataka Govt Hospitals
Payment dispute halts key diagnostic scans, affecting patients across Karnataka’s public hospitals.
CT and MRI diagnostic services at several government hospitals across Karnataka have faced disruptions in recent days after a private diagnostic provider halted operations amid a longstanding payment dispute with the state health department. The stoppage has affected facilities operating under public-private partnership (PPP) arrangements, prompting concern among patients and political leaders over access to essential imaging services.
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao told reporters that the suspension followed the provider’s claim of unpaid dues amounting to around ₹143 crore dating back to 2019. He reiterated that the government cannot release public funds without a thorough scan-by-scan verification of past services, underscoring the need for financial accountability in public healthcare spending.
The disruption has impacted services in at least 13 government hospitals operating under the PPP model, many of which relied on the private partner to manage CT and MRI scanning facilities. In response, the state health department has instituted alternative arrangements by referring patients to medical college hospitals, empanelled private diagnostic centres and nearby facilities, with authorities aiming to ensure scans remain available, particularly for the poor and vulnerable.
Also Read: US Military Conducts Strike On Alleged Drug-Smuggling Boat, Three Killed
The opposition BJP has criticised the government over the disruption, accusing it of administrative inertia and warning that essential diagnostic services are being pushed to the brink. Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka highlighted the potential impact on accident victims, cancer patients and others who require timely imaging, and demanded accountability from the state Health Minister. The National Health Mission (NHM), however, pushed back on these allegations, characterising the claims of unpaid dues as disputed and asserting that the cessation of services was an abrupt move by the private provider rather than a systemic collapse.
State officials have also pointed to recent regulatory changes aimed at curbing unnecessary scans and reducing expenditure on imaging services. Health authorities say measures such as mandatory doctor certification and standardised scan protocols have significantly cut costs, potentially saving hundreds of crores over the past year and a half. The government maintains it will continue financing health schemes despite delayed federal funds and will only reimburse legitimate claims after proper validation.
The standoff underscores broader challenges in Karnataka’s public health infrastructure, including the sustainability of PPP models and the need for timely reimbursements to private partners. As alternative service arrangements continue to be implemented, officials emphasise that access to free or subsidised imaging for eligible patients remains a priority even amid fiscal and administrative disputes.
