18 district hospitals of UP to get MRI units

MEERUT: 18 district hospitals in Uttar Pradesh are set to get Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) units, including the PL Sharma district hospital in the city. This attempt in all probability will benefit the poor. The PL Sharma Hospital has sent a proposal to the state government to this effect. MRI scan facilities are absent in many hospitals, forcing patients to private healthcare hubs.

"We have prepared a proposal to be sent to the higher authorities. The Principal Secretary, UP had earlier asked the Director General of Medical and Health Services, UP, to conduct a meeting and finalise space in each district hospital for setting up the system," read the letter issued by Director General, Medical and Health, UP Padmakar Singh.

The 2000 patients visiting PL Sharma hospital are recommended MRI scans. However, the absence of the machines pushes them towards the Lala Lajpat Rai Memorial (LLRM) Medical College or other private facilities, where the diagnosis is an expensive exercise.

"The MRI facility here is likely to start in January 2018. We have prepared an estimated map as well as the budget required to run it. We have also informed authorities about lack of space inside the hospital premises for the unit,"Superintendent-In-Chief, PL Sharma District Hospital, Dr P K Bansal told TOI.