Static health care: PHCBA takes notice of dysfunctional MRI, CT scan facilities at HMC

Urges government to repair, install machines within three months

PESHAWAR: The Peshawar High Court Bar Association (PHCBA) president filed a petition on Wednesday against the provincial government’s failure to repair and install MRI and CT scan machines at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC).

The petition was filed by PHCBA President Muhammad Isa Khan Khalil and Akhtar Ilyas, a member of the association. The health secretary, health director general, medical superintendent and chief executive of HMC and director general of National Accountability Bureau in K-P  have been listed as respondents in the case.

Petitioners requested the court to direct the government to repair existing facilities and install new MRI and CT scan machines within a period of three months. Furthermore, it has urged NAB to take action against those HMC officials who are involved in corrupt practices.

“After the suicide attack on Imamia Mosque, Hayatabad on February 13, it was learnt that CT scan and MRI machines at the facility are out of order,” the petition read. “As a result, patients have been forced to visit private laboratories for medical check-ups.”

According to the petitioners, the machines have been out of order since 2012.

“In 2013, the interim government had allocated millions of rupees to repair these machines and install new ones,” the petition stated. “However, no one knows where this money has been spent.”

It further added the health secretary and director general had failed to perform their constitutional duty to provide medical relief and healthcare to patients.

“The in charge of the relevant department is hand-in-glove with the hospital administration,” read the petition. “Many doctors are unwilling to do anything about the dysfunctional machinery at HMC and have repeatedly used it as a pretext to encourage patients to visit private laboratories. This usually works to the benefit of the doctors as they allegedly own or have a share in the machinery installed at these laboratories.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 19^th, 2015.