Nagpur: No radiologist, no test kits bring health services to a halt at Ambedkar Hospital – ET HealthWorld

The poor, and the needy come to this hospital for treatment and check-ups. Due to the unavailability of many useful tests, they are asked to undergo tests or examinations at private hospitals or through Mayo or GMCH.

North Nagpur citizens have sought sonography service and appointment of radiologists. Thyroid test, RA (arthritis), ESR (blood) and sodium and potassium tests too have been demanded by citizens.

“The other government hospitals are far away from this locality and it is not affordable and convenient for the financially incapable people of that area to go there. The hospital in their vicinity doesn’t turn out to be much useful,” said NGO The Platform’s Rajiv Khobragade.

The NGO had given a representation to former guardian minister Nitin Raut and hospital administrative officer Dr Srivastava.

“There’s a sonography machine but its of no use due to non-availability of a radiologist. Many patients, including senior citizens and pregnant women, have to go somewhere else. The platform has demanded appointment of a radiologist soon,” he said.

The hospital told the NGO that the test kits for blood tests have not been supplied by the state-owned ‘Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Limited’, the company which usually supplies all these test kits to government hospitals.

The NGO said until the facility becomes available, patients should be given a reference letter on behalf of the hospital to conduct all these tests/examinations free of cost from IGGMCH or GMCH.

“The elderly, critically ill and pregnant women should be taken in the Ambedkar Hospital’s ambulance to IGGMCH and GMCH until these tests are available,” said Khobragade.

The other members of ‘The Platform’, Nikhilesh Meshram, Rohit Sangole, Badole, Ashish Fulzele, etc. were present.

The hospital administration told TOI that they have advertised for radiologists several times but no applications have come. “We had asked IGGMCH to depute a radiologist or a senior resident for some hours but they too are short of hands. Deputing a senior resident too is risky as they are not pass outs and norms don’t allow such an arrangement,” they said.

The officials, however, refuted the claims that blood tests are not being done. “Some people are consulting private doctors and the tests prescribed by them are being sought here. Our physicians have found that many tests are not required,” they said.