The patients, mostly poor, coming to VSS medical college and hospital at Burla are being deprived of quality health services because of the absence of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) facility in the premier health institute.
The company assigned to set up the MRI machine has already started running a Multi Utility Complex in the hospital, but it is yet to provide the MRI facility here. Apart from providing medicines, surgical items and canteen facility to the patients in Multi Utility Complex, the company needs also to provide the MRI service to the patients here as per an agreement.
“A Central Government undertaking company, Hll life Care limited has been entrusted to install the machine here. But the work remains incomplete as on today. If the machine is installed in right time, thousands of patients will be immensely benefitted,” said a doctor of the VSS. “This machine can take the image of the soft tissue of any part of the body and plays a vital role in treatment of crucial dieses,” he informed.
Patients from at least 10 districts of western Odisha and neighbouring States depend on the hospital. “However, in absence MRI machine, the patients here have to depend on the private nursing homes for the examination at erobitant cost,” said Nihal Singh, a resident of Burla who is a social worker.
When contacted, VSS Principal Prof Santosh Behera admitted that the company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to set up the MRI machine here but was making too much delay in installing it. “We have already identified a place for the MRI machine. We have also asked the company to expedite the work. But they are delaying the process,” Prof Behera asserted, adding, “Hence, we have already intimated the Health department Secretary about the delay and also asked the company to speed up the installation.”