KRISHNAGIRI: Lack of radiologists at the Government District Headquarters Hospital (GDHH) in Hosur has forced people from run pillar to post for consultation. Meanwhile, the district administration assured to arrange radiologists for consultation.
On November 29, the Nalam Kaakum Stalin health camp was conducted in Denkanikottai. Usually, 17 specialists from departments such as orthopaedics, cardiology, neurology, dentistry and ophthalmology, among others, participated in the programme.
When one S Madhanagiri (50) of Denkanikottai attended the camp for a stomach issue, she was asked to take a CT scan of her abdomen.
Madhanagiri took a CT scan at GDHH on Monday, paying Rs 500. However, she was asked to consult radiologists outside, as there were no radiologists at GDHH.
Madhanagiri’s daughter A Prema (35) told TNIE, "We paid Rs 500 for the scan and can't go to any private scan centre or private hospital to find out the details from the scan report. The government should provide such facilities to the patients. The distance from Denkanikottai to Government Krishnagiri Medical College Hospital (GKMCH) at Bolupalli is about 40 km one way, and it's not possible to go to GKMCH every time or to private hospitals."
"A patient, especially one from daily wage background, cannot travel such distance to obtain a report as it will affect their livelihood,” she rued.
When contacted, Krishnagiri Collector C Dinesh Kumar assured to resolve the issue and said that the Joint Director of Health Services (in-charge) Dr T Gnanameenakshi and District Health Officer Dr G Ramesh Kumar were asked to form a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to solve the issue and take steps to arrange consultation for CT scan reports of patients referred from Nalam Kaakum Stalin camps.
Later, Prema visited the GDHH and received the report, which was prepared with the support of a private radiologist. Health department sources said they are preparing the SOP.
Another health department source told TNIE, "There are around 20 people obtaining CT scans at GDHH, yet a radiologist is not allocated for the hospital. Many times, private radiologists are arranged for consultation. However, they only cooperate sometimes. The district administration or state government can sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with private scan centres or private radiologists. Dr T Gnanameenakshi is taking efforts to obtain the consultation of radiologists via call."
"People can go for private scan centre or to GKMCH where radiologists are available, but wherever they go, they need to wait at least two days for report," the source explained.