India’s “Cheapest” Diagnostic Centre at Delhi’s Bangla Sahib Gurudwara

Whether it’s a natural calamity, a protest, or a pandemic, the Sikh community has shown us time and again how to put humanity first. Throughout the coronavirus crisis, they’ve lent a helping hand to those in need – by providing food to the needy during the lockdown, shelter to migrants stranded in cities, and converting gurdwaras into quarantine centres. Now, in a bid to make healthcare facilities accessible to the underprivileged, Delhi’s Bangla Sahib Gurudwara will start functioning as the country’s “cheapest” diagnostic facility.

Said to be operational from the first week of December, the diagnostic centre will offer affordable options for people required to undergo medical tests. According to the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC), an MRI scan here will amount to just ₹50 while an ultrasound will cost a patient only ₹150. In a private lab in India, an MRI costs at least ₹2500 and an ultrasound ₹1500.

Setting up the state-of-the-art advanced MRI, X-ray and ultrasound machine at Gurudwara Sri Bangla Sahib to provide services to people at just ₹50
Facility to be operational from December. pic.twitter.com/zlTBfnYJQI

— #Istandwithfarmers Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 3, 2020

Moreover, a dialysis centre is also being set up at Guru Harkrishan Hospital on the gurudwara premises for kidney patients and will be functional starting next week. At the hospital, patients will be able to undergo dialysis for ₹600.

India’s”cheapest” diagnostic facility to start functioning at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in December and an MRI here will cost just Rs 50 pic.twitter.com/PEcMdW3stE

— #Istandwithfarmers Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 4, 2020

As per DSGMC president Manjinder Singh Sirsa, the diagnostic machines worth ₹6 crore were donated to the hospital and are the collective effort of well-wishers. These include four machines for dialysis and a machine each to conduct ultrasound, X-Ray, and MRI. While the MRI services will be available to the underprivileged for ₹50, others can access the facility for ₹800.

A committee of doctors has been set-up to identify the individuals who will be eligible for the concession.

@mssirsa appreciable effort in setting up the cheapest MRI facility for just Rs. 50/- in the hospital run by d Gurudwara Bangla Sahib committee. Diagnostic machines worth Rs 6 crore were donated to the hospital 4 d medical diagnosis of d needy.

— Saurabh Ajay Gupta (@SaurabhAjay) October 4, 2020

At a time when the public healthcare system and private hospitals continue to be out of reach for the poor, this move by Bangla Sahib Gurudwara is truly noble.

Beyond Serving Free Food!

Proud of my Sikh brethren who are setting up India’s “cheapest” diagnostic facility which will start functioning at Gurdwara Bangla Sahib in December.

An ultrasound will cost Rs. 150 & an MRI Scan Rs. 50! 🙏 pic.twitter.com/iPLRMY5iM0

— Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) October 5, 2020

“This is setting such a good example… religious places could use people’s charities in saving lives of the needy,” actress Chitrangda Singh tweeted.

This is setting such a good example.. religious places could use people’s charities in saving lives of the needy ..🙏🏼🙏🏼 MRI scan at Rs 50: ‘Cheapest’ diagnostic facility to start functioning from December – The Financial Express https://t.co/0keAJo0Qrn

— Chitrangda Singh (@IChitrangda) October 5, 2020

This isn’t the first time the DSGMC and Bangla Sahib Gurudwara have come to serve the less fortunate amid the pandemic. When the nation was struggling with a migrant crisis due to the lockdown, Bangla Sahib Gurdwara opened up its kitchens to prepare food packets for nearly 40,000 people a day.

Delhi: Food being prepared at Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to distribute among the needy in different parts of the city. #CoronavirusLockdown pic.twitter.com/kMiYoYrMD2

— ANI (@ANI) March 29, 2020

In a country that often finds itself divided over religion, Sikh seva always shows the way.