5 days ago
For rural patients, MRI scans still a ‘distant' reality
Madurai: When S Palpandi's relative suffered a road accident a month ago, he had to travel around 50km with him to get an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan done after being referred from Usilampatti Government Headquarters Hospital (GHQH), where the facility is yet to be established.
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While larger hospitals like Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) are equipped with even multiple MRI and CT scans, rural patients rely on nearby govt taluk and headquarters hospitals. They either have to make a long journey or get the scans done at a private centre. "Even then, we were unable to get the scan done immediately at GRH as there was a long queue of patients waiting," he added.
Usilampatti GHQH sees a footfall of around 1,500-2,000 outpatients and gets a number of road accident victims.
There has been a long-pending demand for an MRI scan facility at Usilampatti GHQH but health department sources said lack of funds has been delaying it. An MRI scan machine can cost up to Rs 6 crore. Following a PIL filed by health activist C Anand Raj, Madras high court had, in 2017, directed the state govt to set up MRI scan in all Government District Headquarters Hospitals within one year.
"There is no way rural patients can travel a long distance to a medical college just for a scan.
Either they will neglect it or go to a private scan centre where it is expensive. The scans should also not be delayed when being covered under the Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme (CMCHIS) for free of cost," said Anand Raj.
Health department sources said Usilampatti GHQH's case was recently taken up at the DISHA review meeting with officials, ministers, MP and MLAs. A proposal for setting up MRI scan facility at around Rs3 crore has been approved and work is to be expedited, added the source. "Similarly, in south Tamil Nadu, only three other GHQHs have both MRI and CT scan facilities. MRI scan facilities also have to be established immediately at GHQHs in Periyakulam (Theni), Kovipatti (Tuticorin), and Karaikudi (Sivaganga), which all cater to a sizable rural populations," added Anand Raj.
