In a novel usage of technology, senior radiologist and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) expert Dr Yatindra Singh of Doon hospital here is giving his opinion to other radiologists via WhatsApp, despite being on leave. Dr Singh is on leave for the last three days, due to which the operation of radiology department has slowed down. To overcome the problem, Dr Singh agreed to tender his help in preparing the report of the MRI cases in absentia.
The officiating Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) of Doon Hospital Dr DS Rawat confirmed that Dr Singh is taking the services of mobile application software WhatsApp in helping the MRI reports. He said that the staff of hospital is sending the pictures of MRI images to Dr Singh. Dr Rawat added that the system is only temporary and would end when Dr Singh resumes his work. When contacted over phone, Dr Singh told The Pioneer that he is only helping his staff members in doing their work and for this the mobile technology has come handy. Incidentally Dr Singh is the only radiologist in the hospital who is expert in MRI and it is surprising that the health department is not sending other radiologists of state health services for necessary training to operate the 1.5 Tesla MRI machine.
It is worth mentioning here that the Doon hospital is reeling under acute shortage of radiologists. In its recent promotion cum transfers the Medical, Health and family welfare department transferred Dr Yatindra Singh and Dr Manoj Upreti and leaving only Dr Alvind Pokhariyal in the Doon hospital. The radiology department of Doon hospital which is the largest hospital of the state does about 200 X rays, 100-120 Ultra Sounds, 45 CT scans and 15 to 20 MRI daily. In view of such large work load the government attached Dr Singh from Base hospital Srinagar where he was transferred to Doon hospital till January 15.
Similarly Dr S K Jha from Government Hospital Mussoorie was also deployed for three days a week in Doon hospital to cater large patient load of radiology department. To operate the MRI machine the department also tried to rope in one private radiologist on contractual basis but the timing he offered to spare was not suited to the hospital management.