Free diagnostic test under govt scheme gives lifeline to cancer patient

A patient suffering from tumor of the spinal cord heaved a sigh of relief after being benefitted from the Delhi government scheme which provided him a cashless authorisation certificate for an MRI test

Shamim Khan, a resident of Mustafabad, sufferes from spinal cord tumour and was operated upon for the same. A few days ago, however, the tumour reappeared, and he soon lost control of both his legs.

Suffering from unbearable pain, he was rushed to GB Pant Hospital where doctors advised him to undergo an MRI scan to assess his condition.

He was told that the MRI department at the hospital was piled up with cases and was given a date of September 2018.

"Government hospitals are the only option for us and we cannot afford the charges from a private diagnostic lab, where minimum charges for MRI scan are out of reach for poor people," said Samshad Khan, Shamim's younger brother.

On March 2, however, Shamim came to know that he was awarded a cashless authorisation certificate for his MRI Scan from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Kejriwal had said that all radiology diagnostic tests, including CT scan, PET scan, MRI and ultrasounds, will be made free-of-cost for citizens, according to their respective income. Kejriwal has awarded many certificates by making all radiology tests free for Delhi residents in 21 private labs.

Any patient residing in Delhi, with a valid identification, can avail the free treatment after being referred by a doctor from any of the 30 government hospitals or 23 polyclinics designated by state Health Department.

Patients can undergo tests at 21 Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) empanelled private diagnostic centres located in Delhi.

The scans that poor residents of Delhi can avail include MRIs, CT scans, PET scans, radio-nucleotide scans, ultrasounds, colour doppler, X-ray mammography and MRI mammography, echocardiography, treadmill tests, EEG and EMG.

State Health minister Satyender Jain said that the scheme has been implemented with immediate effect.

The listed government hospitals which can refer patients include Aruna Asaf Ali Government Hospital (Civil Lines), GB Pant Institute of Medical Education and Research, Pt. Madan Mohan Malviya Hospital (Malviya Nagar), Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital (Mangolpuri) and Janakpuri Super Specialty Hospital among others.

Free tests can be availed at these diagnostic centres: Dr SS Doda's Ultrasound Centre (Pusa Road), Dr Gulati Imaging Institute (Aurobindo Marg), ML Aggarwal Imaging Centre (Safdarjung Enclave), Focus Imaging & Research Centre (Green Park Ext.), National MRI, CT Scan and Diagnostic Centre (Punjabi Bagh) etc.