Patiala, July 26 -- Aiming to improve and expand diagnostic facilities, the Punjab health department has decided to introduce MRI, CT scan and other radio-diagnostic services at all 23 district hospitals and some of the 42 sub-divisional hospitals.

The move, being rolled out through public-private partnership mode, is expected to fill a longstanding gap in advanced imaging facilities at government hospitals. This will allow patients to get high-quality, affordable diagnostics in-house without the burden of extra travel and expensive private lab fees.

Health department officials said the initiative will enable earlier diagnosis and treatment while also reducing referrals to higher centres.

Under the proposal, private agencies have been ...