BENGALURU: In three weeks time, patients from all over the state who want to get an instant report on X-rays, ultrasound and CT scan will be able to get expert opinion within a few hours.
The Health Department and Bengaluru Medical College and Research Institute (BMCRI) will be setting up such a facility at the college’s Teleradiology Department.
“This programme will be called ‘E-Kirana’ and to start with all government district hospitals will be linked to the Teleradiology Department. Taluk hospitals and primary health centres will also be linked to the facility, which will allow patients to get expert feedback on X-rays, ultrasound and CT scans within an hour,” said BMCRI Dean Dr P K Devadas.
He spoke after the diamond jubilee celebration of the institute and symbolically launched a free bone marrow registry under Bangalore Medical College Development Trust (BMCDT) and Infosys Foundation.
Many patients with conditions like leukaemia and thalassemia where bone marrow cells or stem cells do not function, will be able to benefit once this registry starts functioning. “This registry was possible due to the efforts from the alumni association and Infosys Foundation, said Dr Devadas.
BMCDT secretary Dr K M Srinivasa Gowda said, “Last year only 572 patients who needed bone marrow could undergo a transplant, while as many as 1.3 lakh people need to undergo the procedure. Once the registry gets 10,000 donors, it will help needy patients get bone marrow. The registry currently has 5,600 donors.” Several awareness campaigns will be held across the state, he added.
BMCDT chairman Dr K Lakshman said the cost of a bone marrow transplant is over `20 lakh and most people cannot afford it. With the registry in place the cost will come down drastically, he said, adding those between 18 and 50 years can donate bone marrow.
ISRO Chairman A S Kiran Kumar, who inaugurated the programme, said, there should be emphasis on research to develop new ways to treat patients.
Alumni feted
On the occasion, Five BMCRI alumni - Dr Ajith Huilgol, Dr B A Anantharama, Dr K Lakshman, Dr Rajam Ramamurthy and Dr T Rajeshwari were felicitated for their contribution to the field of medicine.