Jammu: The government has ordered the immediate suspension of teleradiology services operated under the National Health Mission in Jammu and Kashmir, which is likely to impact healthcare services, especially in remote areas where these services were playing a vital role.
The abrupt ending of teleradiology services without finalizing the fresh rate contract will have devastating effects on healthcare institutions.
The order was issued by the office of the Mission Director, National Health Mission, Jammu and Kashmir. The state health agency will now invite fresh tenders.
Until now, these services were being provided by Pune-based Krasnaa Diagnostics. At present Krasnaa Diagnostics has been providing teleradiology services in 77 health institutions of Jammu & Kashmir.
The reason behind starting tele radiology services in Jammu and Kashmir is also the huge shortage of radiologists here.
The state health agency sent this directive to Krasnaa Diagnostic Limited that was providing tele-radiology services such as CT scans and X-rays to state health institutions.
According to the letter, the company was assigned this work based on a letter of intent issued in 2019 and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in 2020. However, this contract expired on June 30, 2025, and the competent authority has not granted any further approval for its extension.
Following a communication from the Administrative Department dated April 20, the company has been ordered to discontinue all tele-radiology services with immediate effect.
This includes CT scan and X-ray services currently being offered at various health centers across the state. This decision may raise questions about its impact on healthcare services, especially in remote areas where tele-radiology services were playing a vital role.
Krasnaa Diagnostics Limited was providing teleradiology services in 77 health institutions in Jammu & Kashmir.
These include four in Doda district, eight in Jammu district, seven in Kathua district, four in Poonch, five in Rajouri, four in Ramban, three in Reasi, three in Samba, three in Udhampur, four in Anantnag, four in Bandipora, five in Baramulla, three in Kulgam, three in Kupwara, four in Pulwama, two in Shopian, one in Ganderbal, two in Budgam and one in Srinagar. These 77 also include new medical colleges where CT scan reports are also given by radiologists of Krasnaa Diagnostic Limited.
The reason behind launching teleradiology services in Jammu and Kashmir is the acute shortage of radiologists. Sub-district hospitals and community health centers have only a few radiologists. The situation is more or less similar in district hospitals and newly opened medical colleges. From Jyodian, Marh, Khod, RS Pura, and Bishnah in Jammu district to remote areas like Gul, Mahore, Sunderbani, Mandi, and Mendhar, X-ray reports were provided online by radiologists from this company. None of these institutions have experts to prepare reports.
The functioning of the National Health Mission also raises questions. The rate contract with Krasna Diagnostics Limited expired on June 30, 2025. So, even after ten months, why hasn’t a tender been invited and a rate contract finalized with another company? Now, abruptly ending teleradiology services after finalizing the rate contract will have devastating effects on healthcare institutions.
Now the question arises who will prepare the reports for X-rays and CT scans performed on patients till the fresh rate contract is approved. The medical superintendent of one hospital acknowledged that this would have an impact. A new rate contract should have been finalized first.
