Move aims to address severe shortage of MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound facilities; consultant to handle planning, legal onboarding, and financial modelling
New Delhi: In a significant step to enhance diagnostic healthcare infrastructure, the Delhi government has decided to appoint a consultant to design and implement a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for radiological diagnostic services in government hospitals across the national capital.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over the acute shortage of diagnostic facilities such as MRI, CT scan, and ultrasound machines in state-run hospitals. Of the 35 Delhi government hospitals, only three — Lok Nayak, GB Pant, and Indira Gandhi Hospital — currently have MRI facilities, forcing patients to wait for months or seek expensive private alternatives.
Consultant to Design, Guide and Monitor PPP Rollout
The selected consultant, referred to as a “transaction advisor,” will be tasked with a comprehensive assessment of government hospitals to identify diagnostic needs based on infrastructure, patient footfall, and regional demand. The advisor will help develop operational strategies, oversee legal processes for onboarding private partners, and formulate a sustainable financial model for implementation.
“A detailed strategy will be prepared covering equipment installation, staffing, operations, cost-sharing, and service pricing,” a Delhi Health Department official told TOI. “The idea is to ensure quality diagnostic services at affordable user charges through onsite PPP-operated labs.”
Cabinet Nod and Future Planning
Last month, the Delhi Cabinet approved the plan to roll out advanced diagnostic equipment, such as MRIs, under the PPP model to ensure timely and affordable radiological services. The advisor will also prepare the project’s inception report and oversee every phase—from planning to execution—ensuring proper resource deployment and accountability.
As part of the financial responsibilities, the consultant will estimate capital and operational expenses, assess potential revenue generation, conduct cash flow analysis, and suggest funding mechanisms like viability gap funding. A risk mitigation strategy will also be developed, considering operational and financial risks tied to the PPP model.
A Step Toward Accessible Healthcare
The initiative is part of the Delhi government’s broader effort to bridge healthcare infrastructure gaps and improve public access to essential medical services. The health department has also recently inaugurated 33 new Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and is exploring additional outsourcing models to strengthen hospital manpower.
