Protest in front of GMCH over plight of patients in absence of MRI machine

Nagpur: The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has not been functioning for last two years now. As a result, patients are compelled to approach the private radiology centres to get their MRI done which costs up to Rs10,000.
The GMCH administration has failed to act despite repeated requests. Irked by this, people under the banner of Seva Foundation group, staged peaceful protests in front of the main gate of GMCH on Sunday.
“After making requests to the government and administration for the last two years and despite the orders of the high court, no decision has been taken by the administration about the MRI machine. Poor patients coming to GMCH are being exploited financially and mentally,” said Raj Khandare, president of Seva Foundation.
Non-availability of the MRI machine is affecting not only the patients but also doctors of radiology department. A resident doctor told TOI that they are unable to get hands-on experience of performing MRI as the machine is not available. The doctors doing MD and MS are also facing academic loss.
In 2008, GMCH was the first government medical college in Vidarbha to have an MRI machine. It was functional for 10 years as per the contract with the service provider. After the contract ended in 2018 and the old MRI machine developed technical glitches, the administration decided to order new and advanced MRI machine in GMCH. The procurement process is still pending.
Poor patients who can’t afford the MRI in private set up have to go to the Mayo Hospital.
Officials at GMCH told TOI that the medical college has already deposited Rs15 crore for the MRI machine with the Haffkine Institute. But Haffkine is still to procure the machine. Recently, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had rapped both the GMCH and Haffkine for the delay.
Several other social organizations also supported the agitation. George Joseph of Ajni Vann initiative, activists Anusuya Kale, Sanjay Lahane, Kunal Maurya, Beti Shakti Foundation’s Sanjay Ade and Saidoot Parivar’s Anoop Muratkar also participated in the protest with their supporters.