Avinash Azad
Jammu, Sept 8: It is astonishing but quite true that a machine worth Rs 1 crore was procured by state government three years back for Super Specialty Hospital Jammu, but it is still not used owing to non-availability of expert to operate it.
Official sources told Early Times that Prostate laser surgery is used to relieve moderate to severe urinary symptoms caused by an enlarged prostate, a condition known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
The machine was procured with creation of Urology Surgery department in much hyped newly commissioned Super Specialty Hospital Jammu. "The machine was acquired to serve local patients with advance technique. That time (2012), then Medical Education Minister, R S Chib finalized the proposal of acquiring laser prostate machine. Astonishingly, the equipment is still in packing", told an insider, adding that there was no expert in the hospital when hospital was commissioned.
"Out of all other disciplines in the hospital, the Urology Surgery department is doing its job satisfactorily, since 20-25 major surgeries are being conducted every week", sources said, adding, "But the equipment is not being used."
He said that in few cases, in certain procedure where laser prostate is required, but not being performed by the department, the equipment is proving to be useless and a burden on exchequer. "Administration should utilize the services of the equipment, but non-utilization of laser prostate, patients have to visit private hospital, where the treatment costs around two lacs", he added. They said that due to the callousness of the government, there are many other services available in the hospital that are not being used. "Focus of the ministers remain on placing order for new machinery, but no one is bothered to check available services, whether it is being extended or not", the sources regretted. Dr Sunil Gupta, HoD Urology Surgery, didn't pick the call for comment. When contacted Medical Superintendent, Super Specialty Hospital, Dr Ramesh Gupta said that he was not aware about it. "A month back, I joined the hospital. I am not aware about", he said, adding that he couldn't comment without checking the facts. |
