In a major relief to the patients the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine of Doon Hospital here has started functioning again. Around 20 patients availed its benefit on Monday. The machine, which is the only machine in any Government hospital in Dehradun, went out of order on May 28. The in charge of the Machine Mahendra Bhandari told The Pioneer that the team of engineers working on the problem refilled its helium gas chamber on Saturday and the machine resumed its work.
The 1.5 Tesla MRI machine of the hospital was installed in 2009 at a cost of Rs7 crore. The machine is error prone and has malfunctioned many times ever since its installation. Incidentally the machine has broken down twice due to leakage of helium gas in last two months. The regular faults in the MRI machine of Doon Hospital are a blessing for the private clinics and hospitals as it means good business to these private operators. The private centres charge between Rs8,000 to Rs10,000 for an MRI which is available at Rs3,500 at the hospital. The MRI of below poverty line (BPl) patients is done free of cost at hospital.
The alarming regularity with which the machine is breaking down in the biggest Government hospital of the State has raised suspicion of some foul play. It has been alleged in some quarters that the private centre operators in collusion with some staff members of the hospital deliberately affect their functioning as it diverts patients towards them.