The Hindu : Endoscopy machines in disrepair at MCH

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jan 08, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Endoscopy machines in disrepair at MCH

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Jan. 7. The simultaneous breakdown of all video endoscope equipment at the Gastroenterology unit of the Medical College Hospital here has hampered diagnostic and therapeutic services for patients with gastro-intestinal disorders.

While the endoscope available at surgical the Gastroenterology Department has been in disrepair for over two months, the two Japan-imported video endoscopes at the medical gastroenterology unit, which developed major snags since December, continue to await correction.

While one of the machines, purchased on a loan by the Kerala Health Research and Welfare Society, has been sent for servicing to New Delhi, the other equipment bought with aid from the Hospital Development Society is yet to be returned after repair from Chennai.

The month-long delay in getting the equipment repaired or replaced has thrown all upper gastrointestinal endoscopy procedures out of gear affecting patients, particularly those from the poor economic strata.

It is estimated that between 40 to 50 endoscopy procedures are performed at the medical gastroenterology unit every day. While 30 procedures fall under routine evaluation, at least 10 therapeutic procedures are conducted for patients requiring intervention for intestinal haemorrhages or polypectomy.

The machine which is now undergoing repair at Chennai was due to be returned after maintenance this week while the one in Delhi is expected only by the end of the month. The delay, meanwhile, has also been taken up with top health officials who are aggressively negotiating with the representatives of the Japanese firms to expedite the repair work, and to try and secure a replacement of equipment if possible, sources said.

Sources at the unit said patients requiring endoscopic intervention were currently being managed with administering of drugs to the extent possible or being referred to private centres depending on the urgency of the medical condition.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the department has been pressing the case for purchasing a new set of upper GI endoscopes estimated to cost around Rs.15 lakhs as the equipment now undergoing servicing had long outlived its life span. Already, at least Rs. 3 to 4 lakhs has already been expended for periodic maintenance of the pair of endoscopes, it is being pointed out.

The gastro unit is at present conducting only lower GI endoscopy for evaluating disorders of the rectal and colon regions along ultra sound diagnostic services to detect diseases like bladder malignancies.

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