After a long wait, the bone marrow densitometer is finally installed at Doon hospital. The department of radiology is conducting the test which runs on the ultra modern machine and the hospital authorities are waiting for the nod of heath directorate to start the operation for general public.
A USA based company, Hologic has installed the machine for which the health and family welfare department has sent an amount of Rs30 lakhs. Mahendra Bhandari of department of radiology said that the technicians of the hospital have completed their training of the machine. He informed that once operational the machine can treat 15-20 patients in a day. The installation of the machine would be a big relief for the orthopedic patients.
The private labs of the city charge Rs2,400 for whole body report, Rs1,200 for single part and Rs1,600 for double part bone density report from the patients. The sources revealed that the hospital administration has suggested to the health directorate that the charges of whole body report should be Rs1,200, for the single part Rs1,200 and double part Rs1,600. The hospital would start the operation of the machine once it receives approval of health directorate
Bone densitometry is a radiological test to detect the early stages of osteoporosis, a disease in which the bones weaken, often as a result of the aging process. Doctors are of the view that early detection helps in better treatment of the diseases. Bone densitometry machines use x-rays or ultrasound to measure the amount of calcium (bone density) in the bone and compare it to what it should be. The higher density of calcium in the bone is considered good by the doctor. The machine also detects extra flab on ones body as it depicts the amount of fat and its correct ratio.