Diagnostic centre turns drug warehouse

Ravi Chandel

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 6

The diagnostic centre constructed on the premises of Bhai Mani Singh Civil Hospital in 2013 at a cost of Rs 40 lakh has been serving the purpose of drug storehouse for the past several years.

It was set up to extend various facilities to the patients at nominal rates.

Now, the patients are left with no option but to visit the private centres for availing of facilities such as MRI and CT scan.

As a result, the patients from poor background cannot afford costly diagnostic tests at private centres and end up without proper medication.

A hospital employee, who did not wish to be named, said, “Though MRI and CT scan facilities are available at Advanced Cancer Research Centre located on the Mansa road, not many people are aware of it.”

Besides, the doctors also do not refer or advise patients to visit the cancer institute and avail of the facility at nominal rates, he added.

According to him, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of diagnostic centre was signed between the Punjab Health System Corporation and a Mumbai-based private company, but in vain.

Baldev Singh, drug warehouse chief pharmacist, said, “Due to lack of space to store the medicines for various district hospitals, we are utilising the vacant space with the permission of the higher authorities. Besides, whenever they will direct us to vacate the diagnostic centre, we will do it.”

Civil Surgeon Hari Narayan Singh confirmed that he had given the permission to the drug warehouse officer to use the vacant diagnostic centre building.

He added that it was for the higher authorities to initiate measures to run the diagnostic centre.

SMO Sukhjinder Singh Gill said, “As I recently joined my duty here, it is not possible for me to comment on the status of the diagnostic centre. Secondly, I assure you that if MRI and CT scan facilities are available at the Advance Cancer Institute, I will personally direct all doctors to refer the patients to the institute.”