LUCKNOW, July 9 -- Facing persistent operational challenges and repeated complaints over non-functional health ATMs, the Lucknow Smart City project has decided to hand over the operation and maintenance of all such machines installed in the city to a private agency. The move aims to ensure regular functioning of the facilities while keeping diagnostic test charges unchanged for the public. Health ATMs, installed under the Smart City project at public parks and other high-footfall locations, were earlier operated by officials of SGPGI. But as the Smart City project no longer has sufficient funds for their operation and maintenance, it floated a tender to appoint a private operator, said Gaurav Kumar, municipal commissioner and CEO of Lucknow Smart City projects. Following the tender process, a private agency has been selected to manage all 100 health ATMs across the city. Kumar said one of the key conditions of the tender is that the agency cannot increase the rates of diagnostic tests. Residents will continue to avail the services at the existing prices. The health ATMs consist of various health tests and wellness parameters including SpO2/Oxygen saturation, pulse rate, blood pressure, body fat along with others. These tests were being done at nominal rates. htc...