Elbit Medical Diagnostics Ltd, which runs two diagnostic centers in Bangalore, has opened a centre at Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. A world class diagnostic facility, set up by the city-based Chary Group of companies, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu formally inaugurated it. With an investment of Rs 15 crore and covering an area of 10,000 sq ft, the diagnostic centre provides a hi-tech look, which made the Chief Minister to remark that it can tempt anyone for a check-up.

The Whole Body 3 Telsa MRI available here is the first of its kind in South Asia and fourth in the world. It provides unsurpassed image quality and is four times faster than any other MRI scanner. The diagnostic centre has other unique equipment like computerised sonography and Digital X-Ray, in addition to the regular diagnostic facilities.

Commending the efforts being made by corporate hospitals and others in making the city the 'health capital' of the country, Naidu asked them to come out with cost-effective diagnostic packages and to look after poor patients. He had a word of praise for M P Chary, chairman, Elbit Medical Diagnostics, for bringing the latest diagnostic equipment to Hyderabad.

Emphasizing the need for those above 40 years to maintain good health, Naidu said the people must make it a point to go in for thorough check-up regularly. He asked the doctors to give importance to both scientific and ethical values in their profession. While unethical practices like female foeticide should be eliminated, the doctors should not exploit patients for their own benefits, Naidu said.

Health Minister Dr Kodela Sivaprasada Rao emphasized the need for making medical diagnosis ethical and affordable. The health department was working on health tourism packages to promote healthcare in the state, he said.

Chary offered 50% discount to the poor patients referred by the two government hospitals, Osmania and Gandhi, for MRI scanning since this facility was not available in those hospitals. Chary said his company had successfully established two diagnostic centres at Bangalore and would set up similar facilities in cities like Pune, Chennai and Ahemedabad.

Chary said the Singapore regional office of US FDA had inspected the diagnostic facilities at the centre to consider grant of approval for utilizing the lab tests by international chemical research institutions engaged in drug discovery and medical research. Elbit had also filed the documents for approval with the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration (NABL), he said.