CT scan machine at Tanda hospital out of order for 4 months

Our Correspondent

Palampur April 12

The Computerised Tomography Machine (CT scan machine) at the Tanda medical college and hospital (TMC) has been out of order for the past four months, resulting in inconvenience to patients.

Since the TMC is also one of the biggest super specialty health institutions in the state, the teaching and research work has also suffered in the absence of a CT scan machine.

On an average, 40-50 patients are being referred daily to private radiology centres for CT scan reports from different departments of the TMC. The hospital administration has not taken any interest so far in resolving the genuine issues despite several complaints lodged by doctors, patients and their attendants. No alternative arrangements have been made to deal with the patients coming to the TMC in dire need of a CT scan. They have to go to private centres, which charge high amounts for the facility.

Rakesh Kumar, a patient’’s attendant, told The Tribune at the hospital that his relative had suffered head injuries and a brain stroke, after which he was brought to the TMC, where doctors referred them to a private radiology centre for a CT scan.

“We have been told by the CT scan department that the machine is not functioning and we have to take our patient to a private radiology centre. The government should take action against the management of the hospital for not repairing the CT scan machine or installing a new one,” he said.

A senior doctor working in the TMC, when contacted by The Tribune, said the top brass of the hospital was well-versed with the situation, a letter had also been sent to Medical Superintendent, informing him about the malfunctioning of the machine.

Health Minister Rajiv Sejal said he wasn’t aware that the machine had been non-functional for months. However, he added, the government had already sanctioned a new CT scan machine for the TMC and it would be installed soon.

Patients being sent to pvt centres

On an average, 40 to 50 patients are being referred daily to private radiology centres for CT scan reports from different departments of the TMC.