New Delhi, Sept. 4 -- Patients seeking MRI scans at Lok Nayak Hospital (LNJP) are facing long waits for diagnostic appointments, with one patient reportedly given an appointment for December 21, 2028. The hospital currently has one functional MRI machine and one CT scanner. LNJP sees more than 5,000 outpatients every day. More than 100 patients were waiting at the hospital's diagnostic registration area for appointments for CT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, X-rays and mammograms.
The MRI facility operates from 8 am to 8 pm, with each scan taking around 40 to 60 minutes, apart from the time required for registration, preparation, screening and image review. A senior resident said the department manages around 10 successful MRI scans a day. The department also faces a shortage of radiologists. Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said a new MRI machine, procured through a CSR initiative by Indian Oil Corporation Limited, was installed at the hospital last week and is currently under trial. A CT scan machine procured through the same initiative is also under trial.
Specialists said the additional MRI machine would address only part of the problem as staffing remains stretched. Patients are also being referred to private diagnostic centres under the Delhi Arogya Kosh scheme. Hospital sources said referrals for CT, MRI, PET and ultrasound tests ranged between 347 and 439 patients every month from January to July.
The hospital's diagnostic services are currently dealing with the reported shortage of machines
and staff while the newly installed equipment is undergoing trials.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.