Demands free CT Scan facilities for poor patients
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: BJP leader and MLA East Constituency, Yudhvir Sethi on Thursday raised serious concerns over the exploitation of patients at the Government Medical College (GMC) and Hospital, Jammu, alleging a nexus between the hospital administration and private diagnostic labs.
Speaking during the Assembly session, the MLA highlighted how GMC Administration has been repeatedly awarding the diagnostic services contract to a particular private firm, ‘Krishna Diagnostics,’ for the past seven years by revising tenders in its favor while also increasing test rates.
Sethi revealed that ‘Krishna Diagnostics’ is charging nearly Rs 1,500 for a CT scan, whereas the same test costs merely Rs 450 in neighboring states like Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. He criticized the GMC authorities for failing to regulate the exorbitant rates, causing immense financial distress to patients, particularly the underprivileged.
“The GMC administration’s deliberate inaction suggests a deep-rooted nexus with private players. Instead of ensuring affordable healthcare, they are facilitating corporate profiteering at the cost of patients’ well-being,” he asserted.
The senior BJP leader strongly urged the government to intervene immediately and provide free CT scan facilities for economically weaker sections. He emphasized that in a welfare state, healthcare should not be a luxury but a fundamental right.
Calling for stringent measures, the senior BJP leader demanded a probe into the tendering process and pricing mechanisms at GMC Jammu. He warned that if corrective steps are not taken, the issue will be escalated further to ensure justice for the people of Jammu.
Yudhvir Sethi reaffirmed the BJP’s commitment to ensuring transparency in governance and protecting the rights of the common people. He appealed to the GMC administration to take corrective action at the earliest, ensuring affordable and accessible healthcare for all.
