Analyser, X-ray machine defunct at ESI Hospital

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 17

The laxity on the part of the Employees State Insurance (ESI) Hospital (Majitha road) administration is keeping patients devoid of diagnosis facilities on the institute premises.

The analyser machine in the biochemistry lab of the hospital has been lying defunct for want of repair. Astonishingly, the staff concerned wrote to the administration in June, stating that the machine had started developing fault and it needed repair so that the problem might not aggravate.

Sources at the hospital say the matter has been reported to higher-ups at least thrice. “The repair will cost around Rs 15,000, but as it has not been sanctioned, the machine went out of order two weeks ago. Now, patients have to get tests done from private labs,” said a staff member, seeking anonymity.

Further, the hospital received an X-ray machine a few months ago. However, the machine is lying unused due to requirement of X-ray films.

Sources say the stock of X-ray had exhausted a month ago and it has not been replenished till date.

Patients at the hospital have to get scans conducted from outside. “The ESI has more than 40,000 cardholders. Presently, it is also open for non-card holders. It is strange that the hospital does not have basic facilities,” said a cardholder, Raj Kumar.

Hospital’s acting Medical Superintendent Dr Des Raj could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.