TN: MRI scanner activated at GHQH
Tenkasi: An MRI scanner, which was kept idle for months due to lack of technicians, was made operational at the District Government Headquarters Hospital (GHQH). Speaking to TNIE, hospital superintendent R Jeslin urged people of Tenkasi district to use the MRI facility here instead of going to Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital (TVMCH), which is located at some distance.
After TNIE published a report titled No staff to operate MRI scanner at government hospital on November 17, which revealed that the newly purchased machine worth Rs 6.5 crore was left unused due to lack of technicians, Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation (TNMSC) appointed two technicians.
However, some patients alleged that they were refused scans, saying the hospital administration was waiting for Health Minister Ma Subramaniam to formally inaugurate the scanner.
Recently, ST Mahesh Pandian, an activist, petitioned Health Secretary Gagandeep Singh Bedi, TNMSC Managing Director, Medical and Rural Health Services Director and Tenkasi District Collector alleging that the MRI scanner is still inoperative.
Despite allegations from the public and activists, the hospital administration has not issued any statement regarding the functionality of the MRI machine. When contacted by TNIE, Jesleen said the scanner is now fully functional and will benefit patients in Tenkasi district. It is noteworthy that GHQH is the only government health institution in Tenkasi district to have an MRI scanner.
