All Delhi govt hosps set to get MRI services by Mar ’26

By March 2026, all 36 Delhi government hospitals will offer MRI and CT scans at subsidized rates through a public-private partnership, health minister announces.

Published on: Oct 11, 2025, 03:40:18 IST

By Ridhima Gupta

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All 36 hospitals under the Delhi government will have radiological diagnostic facilities, including MRI and CT scan services, by March 2026 under a public-private partnership (PPP) model that will offer tests at subsidised rates, health minister Pankaj Singh announced on Friday.

Only three hospitals run by the Delhi government – LNH, GB Pant, and Indira Gandhi Hospital – offer MRI and CT scan services. (HT Archive)

The announcement came during the minister’s visit to Lok Nayak Hospital (LNH), a day after an HT report highlighted that MRI and CT scan services at LNH – one of the Capital’s largest and busiest government hospitals – had been suspended since September 23 following a breakdown of its digital imaging system. The malfunction halted access to stored scans and triggered a shortage of CT/MRI films, forcing patients to wait years for appointments. A ground check by HT found that some patients were being given MRI dates for as late as 2028.

Addressing the shortage, Singh said, “We are planning to start diagnostic services at Lok Nayak Hospital by January, and by March 2026, all 36 Delhi government hospitals will have MRI facilities.”

At present, only three hospitals run by the Delhi government – LNH, GB Pant, and Indira Gandhi Hospital – offer MRI and CT scan services. Officials at the other two hospitals told HT that waiting periods already stretch between three and six months, and could lengthen further as patients diverted from LNH seek appointments.

To be sure, the plan to expand CT/MRI services at other hospitals is now new. The health department had earlier announced plans to expand diagnostic services through the PPP model in June 2025. Under this system, MRIs will be offered at ₹2,500 per scan, compared with ₹8,000- ₹15,000 at private centres across Delhi.

During his inspection on Friday, Singh also addressed reports that ventilators at LNH were lying defunct. “Out of 80 ventilators, almost all are functional,” he said, dismissing claims of large-scale breakdowns.

The minister further acknowledged delays in the supply of medicines from the Central Procurement Agency (CPA) and directed hospitals to use local procurement in the interim to prevent shortages. “Till the time there is a delay in getting medicines through CPA, hospitals can buy them locally to ensure uninterrupted patient care,” he said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ridhima Gupta
Ridhima Gupta is a Principal Correspondent at Hindustan Times, where she covers healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and public health policy. Her reporting centers on Delhi’s major hospitals (AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lok Nayak), the state health department, and emerging medical trends. Ridhima is particularly interested in reporting on healthcare issues through the lens of women, children, and persons with disabilities. Her work often explores the intersection of healthcare and public policy, examining how these factors shape access health care. Based in New Delhi, many of her reports have led to direct government action over the years, in different city. Earlier this year, she completed a media training workshop on the Impact of Extreme Heat on Health, organised by the Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), further strengthening her interest in reporting on the intersection of climate change and public health. A postgraduate from the Asian College of Journalism, Chennai, Ridhima has around a decade of experience in journalism. She began her career as a trainee television reporter with Mirror Now in Mumbai and has since worked across multiple cities, including Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi, contributing to both print and broadcast newsrooms. She is a recipient of the Laadli Media Fellowship (2022) for her reporting on education, disability, and women’s issues. Before joining Hindustan Times, Ridhima worked with The Times of India, New Indian Express and News18. A native of Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, Ridhima completed her undergraduate studies in Biotechnology. And when she is not working as a journalist she likes to paint and go on nature hikes.Read More

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