Second CT scan machine at KMC-RI to ease patient rush

Hubballi: Karnataka Medical College and Research Institute (KMC-RI) has commissioned a second CT scan machine to reduce waiting time for patients, with demand for scans rising steadily.Earlier, the hospital conducted CT scans for about 80 to 100 patients a day, forcing many non-critical patients to wait for a day or two. With the addition of the new machine, the hospital can now conduct scans for over 140 patients daily.Hospital authorities said the proposal for an additional CT scanner had been pending for a long time. The state govt approved the request, and the machine was installed and made operational recently.With emergency and critical cases increasing over the years, priority was earlier given to such patients, while others were put on a waiting list. Many patients were compelled to approach private diagnostic centres, where CT scans are expensive. The new machine is expected to significantly ease this burden.Dr Ishwar Hasabi, medical superintendent of KMC-RI, told TOI that the second machine was sanctioned to cut waiting time. "The govt responded positively to our proposal and sanctioned an additional CT scan machine," he said.Dr Jagadish Sutagatti, head of the department of radiology, said the high-end machine was sanctioned at a cost of around Rs 6.5 crore. "It can scan four patients in an hour. With both machines, we can handle about 140 scans a day," he said, adding that emergency cases will continue to be prioritised as referrals were expected to rise.Each scan takes about 20 minutes, he said. The cost ranges from Rs 800 to Rs 3,000 depending on the part of the body scanned. BPL cardholders are eligible for a 50% concession, while Antyodaya and SC/ST patients will receive scans free of cost, he added.
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