Sigh of great relief for poor patients

CT Scan machine at GMC back to job, courtesy German Engineers

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Sept 28: The CT Scan machine installed at Government Medical College and Hospital (GMC) Jammu have start functioning again after a gap of nearly two months after repair by German Engineers hence brought respite to hundreds of patients, who throng the institution on daily basis.

To rectify the fault in CT machines a team of Engineers was specially called from Germany. Even the spare parts were also brought from Germany. But, the hospital administration have miserably failed to search an alternative to German remedy, as it took a long wait of over two months to get the machine repaired, owing to which people were subjected to hardships.

Sources revealed that CT Scan Machines were prone to mechanical defects and possibility of break-out anytime can’t be ruled out, hence it was imperative to an alternative to German Engineers so that machines could be repaired at the earliest.

They said, “Hospital administration should have some alternate way so that they won’t need to call engineers from outside the country, as well as the spare part should also be available nearby.”

Sources revealed that government was spending crores of rupees to provide better health care facilities to the people of the state, but the mismanagement on the part of officers concerned had made the things worst for poor patients who throng government hospital for cheap treatment.

“This was not the first time when patients have to pay for the fault of the hospital but many time earlier patients have to face problem due to one reason or the others” said a insider.

It is pertinent to mention here that during the period there was total chaos and patients were the worst sufferers of inability of the government to repair the machines early. Most of the people are afraid to admit patient in the hospital.

On daily average, around 20 to 30 patients need CT scan who are mostly admitted in emergency ward with head injuries as most of the medical help cannot be provided in such cases with the report of scan. These patients are suffering due to non functional machine in the hospital,

When contacted, principal GMC, Dr Shashi Gupta said they were planning to purchase new CT Scan machines on Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode to meet the need.

“As the last year, funds had been lapsed. Now, the administration has submitted the proposal to sanction the said machine” said Dr Gupta.

She further revealed that department was paying annual maintenance charges to company and the latter was bound to rectify the error. On being asked about the time needed to get the repair done, she said, “We don’t have any option but to wait for the German Engineers as there is no other agency in country to repair these machines.”