Mumbai: CT scan machines break down at Nair, KEM leaving patients in a fix

The CT scan machine at BYL Nair Hospital has been out of order for more than a week while that of KEM Hospital has been partially functional for about two weeks, allowing doctors to only carry out brain scans.

While Nair hospital has tied up with NM Medical, a private facility, so outpatients can undergo the imaging procedure there until its machine is repaired, no such arrangement is in place for KEM hospital's outpatients, who have no choice but to opt for private diagnostic centres.

The Parel-based NM Medical, which is situated about four kilometres from Nair hospital's premises, is charging patients the same rate as the civic-run hospital for the procedure. Nair and KEM hospital's inpatients, who have to undergo CT scans, are being referred to Sion hospital.

A senior doctor from the radiology department of Nair hospital, who did not wish to be named, said, "Every day we do around 60 to 70 CT scans. Outpatients account for 20 to 25 of them. It's a Philips machine and might be eight to nine years old. This machine breaks down every now and then so it will be better if we get a new one. I think the onus of getting it repaired is on the BMC as the contract with the company has expired because the machine is old."

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Another doctor from the hospital said, "We take patients to KEM or Sion hospital for CT scans in an ambulance but for serious ones, it becomes very difficult because if something happens to them while in transit, the entire blame will fall on doctors, and we have to face the wrath of relatives. Also, it is time-consuming as we have to travel with the patient and get his diagnosis done and then return to the hospital. So, time and human resources are wasted."

Dr Devidas Shetty, head of the department of radiology, Nair hospital, told mid-day, "A spare part of the machine needs to be replaced and we are already in the process of getting it. The machine will be repaired in a week. Meanwhile, we are also buying a new machine and the process for it is 50 per cent completed. For a new machine, we will have to design the room according. So it will take a little time."

On condition of anonymity, a doctor from Sion hospital confirmed that inpatients from Nair and KEM have been coming in for CT scans. "Their machines are old and often break down, which leads to long waiting periods for patients especially those who come on an OPD basis," the doctor said.