Patients suffer as MRI service halted in CMCH for 2 weeks
I can do this test in CMCH at Tk 3,000. It costs Tk 15,000 to get an MRI in a private diagnostic centre.
Sujit Dey, a patient hailing from Patiya upzila in Chattogram, came to Chattogram Medical College Hospital (CMCH) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his legs as he suffers from an arterial disease.
"I can do this test in CMCH for only Tk 3,000. It costs Tk 15,000 to get an MRI in a private diagnostic centre," said Sujit.
However, the MRI service has remained halted in CMCH since May 16 as the machine went out of order, putting many patients like Sujit -- mostly from lower-and middle-income groups -- through immense trouble and sufferings.
CMCH sources said over 30 patients need to undergo MRI tests per day.
Contacted, Prof Dr Subas Majumder, head of radiology and imaging at CMCH, said only patients admitted at CMCH and freedom-fighters are allowed to get free-of-cost MRI tests at the hospital.
Prof Majumder also mentioned that referral patients have to pay Tk 3,000 to Tk 5,000 for this test in CMCH. A patient has to pay Tk 9,000 to Tk 20,000 for the same test in private diagnostic centres.
Asked why the machine has gone out of order all of a sudden, Dr Subas said he had no knowledge regarding the cause.
Asked when the service will resume, he said, "Technicians said there's a problem in the machine's cooling system. It will take some time to repair it."
Contacted, CMCH director Brig Gen Shamim Ahsan said the CMCH authorities didn't have the comprehensive maintenance contract with the supplier. Hence, it was difficult to get the service after the warranty period.
"The company demanded Tk 84 lakh to replace some parts," he said.
"We've written to the health ministry regarding the matter," he added.
Sources said the Hitachi 1.5 Tesla machine was installed in the radiology and imaging department of CMCH in October 2017, at the cost of Tk 10 crore.
Contacted, Prof Dr Kamal Uddin, head of the neuro surgery ward at CMCH, said around 10 patients of his ward needs MRI test per day.
"Before installing the machine, we used to refer patients to private diagnostic centres for the test," he said.
"Many patients belonging to lower income groups couldn't afford it, so they waited till they could collect the money. This often resulted in a lag in the treatment."
Dr Kamal also expressed hope that the MRI service would resume soon in CMCH.