SHILLONG: Health and Family Welfare Minister A.L. Hek has sought a report from Additional Chief Secretary in charge Health, Y. Tsering, on non- functional X-ray machines lying idle in health centres in the Jaintia Hills region.
Speaking to media persons on Wednesday, Hek said he will hold discussions with the department officials to find out why the X-ray machines were not working.
Earlier, as per an RTI filed by Ri Jaintia Youth Federation ( RJYF) it was revealed that the State government had purchased 13 X-ray machines at a cost of one crore rupees for health centres in Jaintia Hills region and the equipment were not working reportedly due to non supply of electricity.
Prior to that, the Estimates Committee of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly had also revealed that the X-ray machine at Umsning CHC had not been functioning for years.
When this was brought to the notice of the minister, he informed that the fault in the X-ray machine at Umsning CHC had been repaired.
The minister also stressed that the Health department required people with technical knowhow to repair these machines and equipment as and when required.
