Hyderabad: Nuclear medicine department, a crucial gadget unavailable at MNJ hospital

Hyderabad: The nuclear medicine department at MNJ Cancer Hospital has not been functioning for six months as the survey meter is not working. Every day around 25 cancer patients are sent to Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences for diagnostic purposes as these can’t be carried out in the hospital.

Nuclear medicine has proved to be effective in scanning cancers in the lung, breast, liver and renal region. It is also effective in picking up gastro-intestine disorders, neurological deficiencies and heart diseases.

The isotopes are supplied by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and they are mostly stored in containers. The isotopes are administered through injections or pills and patients are then scanned.

MNJ Cancer Institute, NIMS, Apollo Hospitals, Medwin Hospitals, Image Hospitals, Bibi Hospitals and Care Hospitals are some of the centres where these machines are available for scanning.

While the corporate hospitals charge a lot, under the Aarogyasri scheme of the government, patients are given free diagnosis and treatment in government hospitals.

A senior doctor from MNJ Cancer Hospital said, “The department is not functioning fully due to this machine not working. We have asked the government to expedite the process of procurement as without the survey meter the tests can’t be conducted. It is also becoming very difficult as well as expensive for patients who have to travel from MNJ Hospital at Red Hills to NIMS in Panjagutta.”

At NIMS, patients who are not covered under Aarogyasri have to pay Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per test which costs Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 in a private set-up. With the government now carrying out the tendering process doctors hope that the process does not get further delayed.