Services hospital: 6 x-ray machines out of order

Hospital sources says only six out of around 230 technicians working in different wards are qualified.

LAHORE: Six x-ray machines in different departments of the Services Hospital are not working after being operated by unqualified technicians, hospital sources said on Sunday. They said only six out of around 230 technicians working in different wards and operation theatres, were qualified. According to the hospital officials, one x-ray machine in the new X-ray block, two machines in the main X-ray Department and one in the Outdoor Patients Department (OPD), one CR X-ray machine in the Emergency Department and a C-Arm machine in the Orthopaedic Operation Theatre have been dysfunctional for the last two years. They said patients are being directed to go to private labs for x-rays. For a technician, an FSc degree with a one-year diploma from the Punjab Medical Faculty is the basic requirement. However, sources said mostly matriculate people were operating x-ray machines and other medical equipment. Patients have to pay Rs400 for an ordinary X-ray and Rs700 for a digital x-ray to private labs. An ordinary x-rays costs Rs100 and a digital x-ray is Rs 150 at public sector hospitals. When contacted, hospital officials blamed power fluctuations and shortage of funds for x-ray machines not working. They said an inquiry had also been ordered to ascertain facts.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2012.