Digital X-Ray in Public Private Partnership for Operation & Management in Tertiary & Secondary hospitals in West Bengal - Public Policy that worked effectively

Health Department of Government of West Bengal developed unique model of PPP in setting up Fair Price Diagnostic Centres at Government hospitals at affordable rates and safety net to poor patients. As per the scheme, one time capital expenditure including cost of site preparation and installation of equipments and power supply infrastructure has been provided by State Government and thereafter O&M agreement has been executed with Private Service Providers to run the facility at administratively approved rates of charges from patients, services to at least 20 percent poor patients being purchased directly by Government. Rates for Digital X-Ray have been fixed at Rs 100 per plate irrespective of exposures on each plate,  Dialysis Rs 500 per sitting plus Rs 280 for consumables and CT Scan Rs 500 plus Rs 400 for contrast material. Market rates are more than double these rates. In addition, quarterly premium of Rs 3 to 5 lakhs is paid by O&M Partner to Hospitals which is used to buy diagnostics services for poor patients. This innovative policy is self sustained and assures 24×7 imaging services in Government hospitals at less than half of the market rates. Moreover, the equipment specifications are modern with facility for advanced imaging and reduced exposure to radiation. There is 40 percent less exposure to radiation compared to conventional X-Ray. Images are delivered instantly and also in digital format that can be shared on email with prescribing doctor. 42 Digital X-Ray have been planned in the State, each costing around Rs 133 lakhs including cost of equipments, site preparation, installation cost and internal works in the diagnostic centres. Technically qualified manpower is deputed by O&M Partners 24X7. At present 5 units of Digital X-Ray are functional. Honble CM & Minister in Charge Health inaugurated eight more units namely Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, Balurghat, Burdwan, Murshidabad, Bankura, Purulia and Suri from a function at Asansol on 10th May 2015 afternoon. Units of Vidyasagar, Calcutta National Medical College, S N Pandit hospital and several other hospitals were also inaugurated and functional. There are 22 Digital X-Ray, 24 Dialysis, 12 CT and 6 MRI functional at present.
 All the planned units will be functional by July 2015. All these units are connected to Central Server of Swasthya Bhawan and all transactions are done using approved software including issue of cash receipt. Information is accessible in Public Domain at www.fps.wbhealth.gov.in.
 RSBY packages have allowed inclusion of dialysis, CT, MRI and Digital X-Ray so that RSBY card holders can avail these facilities cashless and free. More FPDC units and CCU/ HDU will be inaugurated on 14th August 2015.