CUTTACK: With the two colonoscopy machines at Gastroenterology department lying defunct since long, diagnosis of colon diseases in SCB Medical College and Hospital has taken a hit.
While one of the machines became inoperative from January, the other one went out of order on November 16 this year.
Generally, colonoscopy helps doctors diagnose colonic diseases like Colitis, Rectal bleeding and Colon Cancer.
The machines were of immense benefit to patients, especially the poor who visited the Gastroenterology department at SCBMCH. As per reports, eight to 10 colonoscopy tests were being conducted daily in the department. However, with the machines going kaput, gastroenterologists are at their wit’s end to treat patients. Sources said patients are being advised to go for colonoscopy at private clinics.
In the process, poor patients are being forced to shell out more money as the private diagnostic centres charge exorbitant rates which range from `3,000 to `4,000 for full colonoscopy and `1500 to `2,000 for distal colonoscopy.
Apart from patients, education of PG and DM students in the premier Government-run medical college of the State has also been affected due to the defunct machines.
Recently, some PG students had brought the matter to the notice of Administrative Officer (AO) of SCBMCH Pratap Mishra and urged him to take steps to make the defunct machines functional. Contacted, Mishra said he has already forwarded a letter in this regard to the Superintendent.
However, sources said the colonoscopy machines cannot be made operational until the Superintendent of SCBMCH signs the annual maintenance contract (AMC).
SCBMCH Superintendent Prof Pratap Ratha said the AMC has lapsed from March and the companies concerned are not applying for the same.
‘‘We have asked them to go for AMC but the companies are insisting on making comprehensive maintenance contract which is costly compared to the Government rate. It is impossible on our part to provide such huge amount from the accumulated users’ fee,’’ Prof Ratha said and added that the companies have been asked to negotiate with SCB.