TURA: Members of a Garo social organization, the Achik Youth Council (AYC), has been critical of the authorities in the Tura Civil Hospital (TCH) for their failure to ensure the adequate supply of X-ray films and even surgical spirit used in disinfection.
The members of the AYC organization alleged that there has been no new x-ray film for use since over a month and surgical spirit (ethanol) used to disinfect the skin before injections are given have been missing from the medical shelves for almost a year.
“These are essential medical equipment that is a must for any hospital. How can such a premier hospital not have such essential items is beyond our understanding,” said president, Silning D Sangma.
The AYC pointed out that in the absence of these two crucial items poor patients are hit hard over costs incurred from availing services from private clinics outside.
“While it costs about Rs 50-100 for an X-ray, outside the same costs about Rs 1000. Further imagine the state of orthopedic patients, having to move to various clinics for the same X-ray that could have been so easily done in the hospital itself,” mentioned the organization.
“Why do they have to buy spirit from outside and what were the authorities doing in not procuring something as basic as spirit? Isn’t this negligent on the part of hospital authorities?” questioned the organization.
West Garo Hills deputy commissioner, Ram Singh, when queried on the issue by presspersons, informed that the x-ray plate had been damaged due to a high voltage fluctuation.
“The engineer came and said that there was a problem with earthing. Our health engineer wing is replacing the earthing and once that it done, the problem should be resolved,” said the DC.
While all these takes time, those in urgent need of the services of the x-ray machine have to content with paying a high cost in private chambers and clinics.