Failures of high tech machines in government hospitals have stopped becoming news anymore. High usage and careless handling are among the prime reasons for this. Even when scanning machines were common in private hospitals, it took a long time for it to reach government hospitals. Even Thiruvananthapuram Medical College saw its first scanning machine really late. But the machines keep getting malfunctioned time after time. There are criticisms from many that this was done on purpose to promote private scan centers.

We had published news regarding a CT simulator in Alappuzha Medical College that’s not getting operated even after bought for Rs 3.78 crores, of which Rs 3.40 crores has been paid already. After buying this machine, no one has enquired on why the machine is not getting functional. Equipment that should be made useful for many patients is tabled for the past two years. A CT simulator can find the exact size and place of a tumor. Meanwhile, Health Minister K.K. Shyalaja has promised to take adequate actions against the irregularities in the after an investigation. The HOD must be all aware of the abnormalities as he is the one who granted the funds. Such things shouldn’t repeat again. It should also be noted that in Alappuzha, high-tech treatment facilities are not that good. By not using such an important machine, lots of patients might have suffered. But the people related to this mismanagement is not guilty.

On hand the govt is trying their best to bring about advancement in hospital facilities and on the other hand, the patients can’t even make use of the existing amenities. Not only in Alappuzha, if checked properly such irregularities could be found across the state. Only stringent actions can tackle this.