Jammu and Kashmir government today said the proposed move to introduce PPP model in Jammu hospitals for buying sophisticated medical equipment was aimed at facilitating diagnoses and treatment at affordable prices.
"The apprehensions raised by some quarters regarding introduction of PPP model in health care sector in Jammu hospitals are totally unfounded," Minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din told reporters here.
He said due to financial constraints, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had decided that in case of non-availability of funds for installation of latest medical machinery, the government would involve private parties on terms and conditions laid down by the government.
Taj said the Public-Private Partnership model in the health sector was proposed to facilitate patients and doctors, keeping in view the financial constraints of the state.
Under the PPP model, latest and sophisticated medical equipment and machines would be installed for facilitating diagnoses and treatment of diseases or aliments at affordable prices prescribed by the state government, he said.
The minister said the system had already been introduced in Kashmir, where it was accepted, but in Jammu there was apprehension voiced by some quarters "without any knowledge about the practice".
The PPP model has emerged as a success across the country and is already operational in states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh, he said.
Taj said with its introduction, government hospitals which earlier lacked latest equipment like MRIs, Digital Radiography, high-end CT scan, PET scan and linear accelerator would be able to provide round-the-clock diagnostic facilities at affordable prices, including concession to patients falling under BPL/AAY category.
He accused people having "vested interests" of raising apprehensions as they were "fearing loss in business because people will prefer hospitals instead of going to the open market."
Taj said no government money would be involved in the purchase and installation of medical machinery under PPP model and the diagnostic machinery would be accessible to the doctors working in the hospital.
He said medical students will also have access to this machinery.
