THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Health Minister K.K. Shailaja has said that government hospitals having diagnostic facilities like CT scan and MRI, should not refer patients to private scanning centres. The directive came in the wake of complaints that patients including those who are availing government health insurance schemes were being referred to private diagnostic centres. The authorities in government hospitals should ensure that patients are not referred to scan centres outside.
Only in cases of emergency or in hospitals where facilities are minimal, the treating doctors can take a decision on sending patients outside. While the health minister’s direction being in public interest has been generally welcomed, the situation on the ground indicates implementation would be a problem. For instance the medical college Thiruvananthapuram has only two CT scans and one MRI scan equipment.
Each case requires at least 45 minutes to one hour and a maximum of 25 cases can be carried out daily. “We don’t refer patients to private diagnostic scan centres. But because of the long wait list, some opt for private scanning centres. The scan rates in government sector are affordable,” said a doctor at Trivandrum Medical College. The medical college authorities claim that cases requiring instant surgery like head injuries, advanced brain tumours, are all given priority.
However, those with spinal problems, slow growing tumours, abdominal issues, minimal disc problems may have to wait in the queue for weeks and even months. While there have been initiatives in the past to standardise the rates CT scan and MRI in private sector, the move has not achieved the desired results.
There are still many centres which continue to charge exorbitant rates. Of the 1200 health centres and hospitals under the state health department, CT scans are installed only in 12 district hospitals. Senior officials of the directorate of health services claimed that diagnostic and treatment facilities were being upgraded as part of the modernisation plan announced in the budget.
