The Department of Health Services had sent a video x-ray machine to the hospital last year to provide free x-ray reports to patients. [break]
Dr Sanjay Koirala at the hospital admitted that diagnosis of problems in gall bladder, kidney, uterus, liver, urinary tract and other organs was difficult without the aid of video x-ray reports.
Doctors in the hospital have been referring patients to Pokhara and Baglung for lack of video x-ray reports. Many opt not to go to Pokhara and Baglung as they cannot afford it. “The doctor asked me to get video x-ray report of my uterus from Pokhara. But I have decided to return home as I don´t have enough money,” said Dhan Maya Nepali of Shankarpokhari, Parvat.
“We have written to the Department of Health Services several times asking it to send technicians or train our staff but to no avail,” said Dr Jhalak Gautam at the hospital.
“Common people are bearing the brunt of the department´s indifference,” Gautam rued, adding that the doctors in the hospital would be able to operate the machine if trained for eight weeks.