The prolonged unavailability of the CT scan machine at Jammu’s Super Speciality Hospital is a stark reminder of the challenges plaguing public healthcare facilities. Since its breakdown in July 2023, patients have faced undue hardships, from longer wait times to exorbitant costs at private diagnostic centres. This crisis underscores the pressing need for systemic reforms in the maintenance and timely replacement of critical medical equipment. CT scans are an indispensable diagnostic tool, especially for patients requiring urgent medical intervention. The absence of this facility at SSH has disrupted care for 20-25 patients daily, forcing many to travel to the Bone & Joint Hospital or seek costly private services. The most critical aspect of the prolonged disruption in CT scan services at SSH is the presence of specialised neurology and nephrology departments, where numerous accident victims undergo specialised treatment. Transferring neuro-trauma patients, especially those in critical condition, is highly inadvisable. The distance between SSH and the Bone & Joint Hospital necessitates ambulance transport, which poses significant risks to these vulnerable patients. Such a scenario, extending over months, is unacceptable and underscores the urgent need for immediate resolution.
This crisis is not isolated. The CT scan machines at SMGS Hospital and Chest Disease Hospital are also nearing the end of their operational life, posing a looming risk of similar disruptions. The situation at SSH and other health institutions in Jammu reveals systemic gaps in equipment procurement and maintenance. The hospital’s reliance on an obsolete machine well past its operational lifespan reflects a lack of foresight in asset management. The delays in submitting the purchase indent further exemplify administrative inefficiency.
Healthcare facilities are the backbone of public welfare, and their resilience lies in proactive planning. Policymakers must also recognise that temporary measures-such as referring patients to other hospitals-are insufficient. Investments in infrastructure, coupled with efficient governance, are imperative to restore public trust in Government healthcare services. The distress caused to patients over the past three months must serve as a wake-up call for healthcare administrators in the region.
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