The state government will start radiology and imaging diagnostic services at 11 state–run hospitals in Vidarbha region on public private partnership (PPP) basis, said state health minister Suresh Shetty, who was in the city to launch a high–end radiology and imaging centre on Sunday.

"Initially, we had planned to set up radiology imaging diagnostic centres at public hospitals in Pune and some other state–run hospitals in western Maharashtra. Now, this service will be made available in Vidarbha to ensure best health facilities reach the common man in every corner of the state," Shetty said.

In all, 35 hospitals in western Maharashtra, Marathwada and Vidarbha will benefit from this decision of the state health department, which has tied up with private medical equipment manufacturing companies under the PPP agreement.

"A lot of research is currently happening in the healthcare sector. In medical diagnostics, we have upgraded and more advanced versions are coming out every year. Like cell phones, we have newer and better versions of medical equipment. We want public to avail of the benefits of these technologies hence we have initiated the services on a PPP basis. Tenders have been invited as well," Shetty said.

Radiologist Ashish Atre, founder–director of Star Imaging and Research Centre, which launched its second centre at Connaught Place on Bund Garden Road, said, "Our centre’s emphasis is on organ–based imaging and provide imaging–guided interventional radiological procedures whenever necessary. The stress is on rendering skilled services in musculoskeletal imaging, whole body imaging, neuro imaging, head neck and ENT imaging, breast imaging, ultrasound (including highrisk obstetric ultrasound), cardiac imaging and interventional radiology."