The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine of Doon Hospital which broke down on May 19 is still undergoing repairs. The malfunction in the machine is causing problems to the patients as they are forced to conduct MRIs from the private operators and pay more money in the process.
The MRI machine of the Doon hospital is prone to frequent breakdowns and the hospital authorities are blaming the malfunction on the helium gas leakage. The Principal Medical Superintendent (PMS) of Doon Hospital RS Aswal told The Pioneer that the hospital is having a maintenance contract with a Delhi based firm for repairing the machine. He said that he has directed the firm to check the machine properly so that the problem of gas leakage is permanently solved. Aswal said that the machine would be operational in two to three days. The malfunctioning of the MRI machine is causing problems to the serious patients who need the services of the machine as it is one of the best and latest diagnostic tools. The 1.5 Tesla Machine at Doon hospital was installed under a MOU which was signed between the state Government and Mahajan Imaging Private limited on June 2009, for a period of five years. The Machine was purchased with an amount of Rs7 Crore by the state government. According to the provisions of the MOU the Below Poverty line (BPl) patients are treated free of cost while the Above Poverty line (APl) patients get subsidized MRI at Rs3,500.
In absence of MRI services at the Doon hospital the private operators are reaping rich dividends as they charge anything between Rs8,000 to Rs10,000 for it. Recently activists of Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha held a protest meet at the Doon hospital and charged that some vested elements in hospital staff have colluded with private MRI operators and they are deliberately damaging the Machine as a part of conspiracy.