The Sri Chennai Scan & Imaging Research Centre (P) Ltd., which has been entrusted with the task of running three diagnostic laboratories of the Chennai Corporation, plans to reopen the labs in a phased manner.

According to Dr Vishnu Srinivas, director, Sri Chennai Scan & Imaging Research Centre (P) Ltd, the company will soft launch the three diagnostic centres with basic services like common lab facilities within a month or two, and will add specialty equipments like MRI and CT scan depending on the demand. The Perambur facility will be the first to take off fully as efforts are on to install a CT scan at this centre within a few weeks. The diagnostic laboratories at Saidapet and Valluvar Kottam are likely to take off within the next six months, depending on the response towards the first laboratory. The modus operandi would be to offer high quality services at competitive rates to attract more clients, said Dr Vishnu Srinivas.

“We are yet to sign the three year agreement with the corporation and assess the infrastructure and required manpower at these centres. To my knowledge, the three centres are functioning only for namesake, with X-Ray and lab services, which means, we will have to invest heavily in terms of infrastructure. We hope to attract 20-25 cases a day with the subsidized rates, instead of the normal rate of 10-15 cases every day at private diagnostic laboratories. If these centres were operating only in a single shift from 8 a.m. to 4.p.m, we may increase the shift hours depending on the demand,” said Dr Vishnu Srinivas.

He noted that the centres could evince good response from the public, provided quality services were offered at lower rates. “Initially we need to create an awareness on the centres and the facilities. Therefore, we may bring some popular sport or cine stars for inauguration to create the visibility” said Dr Srinivas.

He said these centres could direct clients to the Sri Chennai Scan for advanced tests or facilities, thanks to the transportation infrastructure available with the company. Another plan would be to offer 24-hour high quality emergency room services at the three diagnostic laboratories, in association with a US based agency. In this, the labs would offer emergency assistance for accident and trauma care with life support systems and technology provided by the US partner.