KOCHI: The hi-tech digital imaging centre with modern facilities will be operational at Government Medical College, Kalamassey, from August.
The centre with facilities such as MRI scan, digital radiography machine, digital mammogram, digital fluoroscopy and bone densitometry machine has been set up in the medical college at a cost of Rs 25 crore.
Steps are in the final phase to install a German made state-of-the-art MRI scanning machine worth Rs 8 crore.
Once the facility becomes functional, MRI scanning can be done at very reasonable rates at the centre. The scanning room has been arranged in a patient-friendly manner.
The centre will be of much help to the patients as the digital radiography test can be done for Rs 50 while the rate for the test in private hospitals is Rs 500. X-ray images of body parts can be taken more conveniently using the machine as it will operate as per the instructions given form the console. The patient will get the image within a few minutes.
Digital fluoroscopy machine is to take real-time projection X-ray images while bone densitometry machine is used to assess the loss of bone mineral density.
It was in March 2018 that the state government gave administrative sanction for the digital imaging centre project.
The second dialysis unit with 10 beds and ICU facilities will also start operating in the medical college. The unit has been set up at a cost of Rs 1 crore. The existing dialysis unit has six machines and 16 patients have been undergoing dialysis everyday in three shifts. The patients have to remit only Rs 400 for dialysis while it is being done at Rs 2500 in private hospitals. Those with Karunya, RSBY cards can do it for free of cost, said Dr. Ganesh Mohan, RMO.
