MUMBAI: The state set up a four-member committee to examine and recommend a
price cap
for the high resolution CT (HRCT) scan on Tuesday.
Saif Ali Khan Health Update
The scan has evolved as a key tool for Covid-19 diagnosis and treatment. Officials said its rising use had led to profiteering with certain centres charging up to Rs 10,000.
The committee will be headed by Dr Sudhakar Shinde, CEO of State Health Assurance Society, and it is supposed to submit its report to the state within seven days. "We will take all reasonable factors into account," Dr Shinde said.
Dr Anagha Joshi, head of radiology,
Sion hospital, and members from JJ Hospital and the medical education department will be in the team.
MoS for medical education and public health, Rajendra Patil Yadravkar, who initiated the move, said many people had complained. "I have got calls from people across the state about being charged anywhere between Rs 2,000 and Rs 6,000 for an HRCT scan. If you approach a hospital at night, they charge Rs 6,000. If a patient comes in without a Covid test report, some hospitals insist on an HRCT," he said.
It seems there are more
complaints
against standalone centres compared to hospitals, where Rs 2,500-Rs 5,000 is charged. In most city hospitals, prices were slashed since they were using it to scan every patient getting hospitalised, even for non-Covid treatment. Private hospitals use it to screen suspected patients coming to Covid-19 OPDs.
Dr Rahul Pandit, intensivist and member of the state task force, called it an important tool for detection when combined with the RT-PCR test. "It also helps in predicting the severity," he said.
Dr Shailesh Sangani, president of the Navi Mumbai Raigad Radiological and Imaging Association, said a cap could be unfair. "Diagnostics centres charge anywhere between Rs 2,500 and Rs 4,500 for HRCT. Patients may be charged more when they come at night in an emergency and doctors and technicians have to be called in," he said.