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Free diagnostic tests at 19 govt centres from tomorrow: KCR

The centres will conduct 57 types of tests free of cost, a release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated on Saturday

HYDERABAD: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao directed officials to open 19 diagnostic centres for the benefit of economically deprived sections in select major government hospitals and district headquarters across the state on Monday. The centres will conduct 57 types of tests free of cost, a
release from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated on Saturday.

Rao wanted the diagnostic centres that are ready to be opened in
Mahbubnagar, Nizamabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Jangaon, Mulugu, Mahbubabad, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Jagtial, Siddipet, Nalgonda, Khammam, Sircilla, Vikarabad, Nirmal, Karimnagar, Adilabad, Gadwal and Asifabad districts and in major government hospitals.

He spoke to medical and health department officials on Saturday and enquired about the Covid-19 situation in the state. The tests include for Covid, blood, urine, diabetes, hypertension, cardiac ailments, orthopaedic, liver, kidney, thyroid-related X-ray, biochemistry, and pathology, among others.

Chandrasekhar Rao said that besides general tests, certain speciality tests,
which are expensive, would also be conducted free of cost. Results of the
test reports would be sent to the patients’ mobile phones. He said expensive
equipment with state-of-the-art modern technology like those available in
corporate hospitals, Osmania, Gandhi and NIMS, would be installed in the
centres. They include fully automatic immunoassay analyzer, five-part cell
counter, fully automatic urine analyser, ECG, 2D Echo, ultrasound, digital
x-ray and other such imaging testing units.

Officials informed that such an equipment can produce 400 to 800 reports in
an hour, which can help treat more patients. Based on individual
requirement, CT scans will also be provided.

Elaborating further, Rao said “There are four types of expenses for medical
treatment. Transportation costs to reach the hospital, doctor’s fee,
medicines, diagnostic tests, expenses on inpatient, and transportation
charges to carry deceased and funeral expenses.”

For emergency services, the government is running 428 ambulances under 108 services. Around 300 vehicles are earmarked for pregnant women under the Amma Vadi Scheme.

The government has ensured arrangements to send samples of poor patients undergoing treatment in PHCs to the nearest centre for speedier testing and reports.

The Chief Minister said, “Medical treatment is becoming costlier. The poor
are forced to sell properties to get treatment. To detect the ailment, blood
and urine tests are a must. These days every other person is suffering from
hypertension and diabetes and needs to get examined. Tests for the heart,
liver, kidney, and lungs, cancer and thyroid have become a necessity for the
poor. Corona has joined the list and it needs several tests. Government
doctors write prescriptions but for diagnostic tests, people are forced to
go to private clinics and spend thousands of rupees. This has become a huge
burden on the poor. Our endeavour is to bring financial relief to those
aggrieved sections."

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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