Lack of MRI machine at GMC proving new agony for patients

Nagpur, Oct 16

The Government Medical College and Hospital is considered to be a huge medical support for patients in economically weaker section. This health institution is a ray of hope for patients not only in Vidarbha, but those from states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh also. However, lack of state of art MRI machine is proving new agony for patients. The previous MRI machine which became outdated in March 2018 was scrapped in December 2019.

Prior to this, administration of GMC got Rs 16 crore from mining department for procurement of new machine. This fund was sent to Hafkin Institute also. However, even today the procurement process is pending. The patients are being sent to Mayo hospital. But not more than six MRI tests are conducted at Mayo due to which lives of poor are in danger.

At a time when today''s treatment is based on technology, the GMC is lagging behind in regard of MRI machine. Problems are coming in accurate detection of ailment. It is worth mentioning here that GMC got MRI machine in 2008. This was the only MRI machine in Vidarbha at that time. This MRI machine had burden of patients from Mayo hospital also. The duration of MRI machine ended after ten years. The maintenance contract with concerned machine also got ended. Huge expenditure was being made at this machine developed snag on regular basis. Taking cognizance of this, the GMC administration prepared proposal of purchasing new MRI machine. The former guardian minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule made available `16 crore from mining department. The GMC administration transferred this fund to Hafkin Institute which has responsibility of equipment procurement.

The tender was issued by procurement of MRI machine. But this process got delayed for some reason or the another. Meanwhile, Lockdown began due to coronavirus pandemic. The GMC administration is trying to step up procurement process from last August. However, there are technical difficulties in it, said sources. Presently Covid patients are low and non-covid are more in GMC. The lack of MRI machine is proving to be difficult for GMC.