Krsnaa Diagnostics resumes pathology services, igniting public outcry over healthcare reliability

In Mumbai, the pathology services provided by Krsnaa Diagnostics for the Aapli Chikitsa Scheme were temporarily halted but have since resumed. This interruption in services occurred just a day prior to the resumption, causing concern among patients relying on these critical health services. The Aapli Chikitsa initiative by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is designed to ensure that basic and advanced pathology tests are available to Mumbaikars at subsidized rates, thus playing a vital role in public health. The halt in services was reportedly caused by the non-payment of dues to Krsnaa Diagnostics, leading to a situation where patients were left to seek tests elsewhere. This raised alarms among healthcare professionals, especially for those working in BMC's peripheral hospitals, who remarked on the negative impact on patient care and the need for better implementation of health service contracts. The BMC negotiated with Krsnaa Diagnostics to continue providing services until a new agency is finalized to handle these essential tasks. Since being awarded the service contract last year, Krsnaa Diagnostics serves approximately 4,000 patients daily, processing between 35,000 to 40,000 tests as part of this initiative. The importance of the scheme is underscored by its provision of a range of 139 tests, including both basic and advanced options, which are essential for the healthcare of citizens in Mumbai. The need for effective management of the pathology service contract is urgent, as patients should not have to endure interruptions in receiving necessary medical care. The ongoing dialogue between the BMC and Krsnaa Diagnostics reflects the complexities of providing healthcare services and the necessity to ensure that such services are delivered consistently to the public in need. The focus now is on stabilizing operations and preparing for the transition to a new service provider in the near future.