1.24 lakh patients avail benefit of free diagnostic services in Chamba

Free diagnostic services are provided by the state government under the Mukhyamantri Nishulk Nidan Yojana. Considered a significant step towards accessible healthcare, till now 1, 24,482 patients have benefited from the yojana in Chamba district.

Launched in May 2022 in collaboration with Krasnna Diagnostics Limited, in all 6,64,743 medical tests have been conducted free of charge. The state government has spent ?3.21 crore on these tests.

Under this scheme, 133 types of tests for critical illnesses related to heart, kidneys, liver and other conditions are offered free of cost at the Regional Hospital, Chamba, and Jawaharlal Nehru Government Medical College and Hospital. Besides, patients can avail free X-ray services. At 39 primary health centres, 63 types of tests are available for free of cost for patients. Tests not covered under the scheme are offered at government-mandated minimal rates, significantly cheaper than private laboratories.

Besides main hospitals, free diagnostic services are available at health institutions in Rajnagar, Jadhera, Pukhri, Kohaladi, Chaned, Masroond, Shakti Dehra, Dardha, Mehla, Chhatrari, Lech, Motla, Singhuta, Tikri, Manhuta, Sadal, Hunera, Kakira, Bagdhar, Mel, Chuhan, Banikhet, Diyur, Tungla, Bhunad, Wangal, Sundla, Barangal, Garola, Mandha, Nakroda, Kalhel, Jasourgarh, Baghaigarh, Jhajhkoti, Bonderi, Kohal and Dehgarh.

Chamba Chief Medical Officer Dr Bipen Thakur said patients visiting the OPD at designated hospitals and health centres were given a prescription for tests. These prescriptions were presented at Karsana Diagnostics Labs located on the hospital premises, he said. He said, “A copy of the prescription is retained by the lab for records. The prescribed tests are conducted free of cost, fully funded by the government.”

Dr Thakur said, “The government bears the complete cost of tests, alleviating financial burden on patients. This has helped patients’ access healthcare services in Chamba, particularly in the rural areas.”

“This scheme reflects the Himachal Pradesh government’s commitment to improve healthcare accessibility and affordability for its residents, particularly in the rural and remote areas,” he said.