Patients in the lurch as CT scanners of key hospitals go down again

• Health Ministry says prompt measures are underway to repair these machines as early as possible

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

A significant number of CT scan machines in government hospitals has become completely dysfunctional again as it has been in the recent past leaving patients in dire straits, medical professionals pointed out.  

According to the Government Radiological Technologists’ Association, there are a total of 44 CT scan machines in government hospitals.  

Accordingly, seven CT scan machines in the OPD of the National Hospital in Colombo, the District General Hospital Embilipitiya, Ratnapura General Hospital, the cancer unit of the Hambantota hospital, Base Hospital Kalmunai, Kalutara hospital are not functioning, thus causing major inconveniences to patients and doctors as well.  

“Some of these machines have not been in operation for months. All in all, it is the poor who have to bear the brunt of this issue as they cannot afford to go to private hospitals,” the association stressed.  

Commenting on the matter, a senior official from the Health Ministry told Daily Mirror “since the ministry has cleared the hindrances, prompt measures are underway to repair these machines as early as possible.”