Vishnupriya
Madurai: An RTI response obtained by Madurai-based health activist A Veronica Mary revealed that Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) earned over ₹511 crore from CT and MRI scan facilities in government hospitals over the past five years. Despite increasing usage, the activist has called for the expansion of these facilities to all government taluk and headquarters hospitals to benefit rural populations.
The RTI data shows TNMSC’s revenue from these scans nearly doubled, rising from ₹72 crore in 2019-2020 to ₹139 crore in 2023-2024. Currently, 133 CT scan and 42 MRI scan facilities are operational in government hospitals, with fixed rates of ₹500 for CT scans and ₹2,500 for MRI scans. “If these facilities are unavailable at a government hospital, patients are forced to pay much higher costs at private hospitals,” Mary pointed out.
Mary criticized TNMSC’s September 2023 response to her request for MRI scan facilities at nine government hospitals in South Tamil Nadu, including Usilampatti GH in Madurai. The corporation cited a lack of funds, estimating ₹6 crore per facility, and advised patients to utilize MRI scan services at nearby government hospitals or medical colleges.
“This explanation is unacceptable, especially for rural residents who face additional travel costs. Immediate steps must be taken to establish MRI scan facilities at Usilampatti GH and other headquarters hospitals in South Tamil Nadu,” she said.
