Free diagnostic scanning services at the district hospital in Kolar, Karnataka, have been suspended, leaving several economically weaker patients struggling to access essential medical tests and triggering anger among patients and their families. The disruption has reportedly occurred because pending government payments of around ₹140 crore to the private service provider operating the facility under a public-private partnership (PPP) model have not been cleared.
The scanning services, including CT and MRI facilities, had been provided free of cost to economically weaker patients since 2017 under the PPP arrangement. However, the operating agency has allegedly halted services after payments remained pending for nearly two to three years, citing severe financial strain that has affected maintenance, staffing, and procurement of essential medical supplies required to continue operations.
Following the suspension, patients visiting the hospital are now being asked to pay for scans, leading to tense scenes at the government facility. Hospital authorities have not yet provided clarity on when free services will resume, leaving many patients uncertain about their treatment timelines. Several families complained that they had travelled long distances expecting free diagnostic services only to be told that payment was now mandatory.
One woman from Gangavathi said her husband, who requires urgent medical attention, had been taken from office to office for approvals over three days before being informed that a scan would only be conducted upon payment of ₹4,500. She said families rely on government hospitals precisely because they cannot afford private healthcare costs and questioned why patients should suffer due to a financial dispute between authorities and the service provider.
Staff associated with the scanning facility confirmed that the CT and MRI units had operated under the PPP project for years but that outstanding government dues had accumulated for nearly two years. According to a staff member named Rahul, the company had repeatedly requested partial payment releases to cover operational expenses such as employee salaries, vendor payments, films, contrast materials, and other consumables required for diagnostic procedures.
He explained that under the memorandum of understanding governing the project, the facility is currently permitted to handle only cash-paying patients and cannot continue services for those covered under government approvals or pre-authorisation schemes until payments are cleared. With dues reportedly exceeding ₹100 crore and no resolution in sight, management decided to suspend services and informed staff accordingly.
Approximately 20 employees work at the facility, and maintaining operations requires continuous expenditure on equipment maintenance and medical supplies. While acknowledging the difficulties faced by patients, staff said the company itself is under significant financial pressure and is awaiting further direction from management and government authorities. At present, new patient registrations have been halted, though emergency cases may be considered on a case-by-case basis after consultation with the company.
