X-ray service suspended due to shortage of films

The X-ray service at Chuadanga Sadar Hospital has remained suspended for one and a half months due to shortage of films, much to the sufferings of the patients.

In last February, the hospital got supply of 2800 big and small sized X-ray films for this year against the demand of 4000, hospital sources said.

The films got used up by September 27 and the two X-ray machines remained virtually inoperative since then. 

"We get supply of such materials once a year. And it is very difficult to manage these in case of shortage,” said Dr Masud Rana, resident medical officer of the hospital. 

The patients, especially the insolvent ones, are badly suffering due to the situation as doctors are sending them to different private clinics and diagnostic centres for X-ray tests that require much higher rates.

Mariam Begum came to the hospital on Wednesday with a serious facture on her right leg. Doctors sent her to a nearby private diagnostic centre for an X-ray that cost Tk 800.

Rustom Malitha, 67, came to the hospital with ear splitting trouble and doctors asked him to get X-ray tests of his both ears done in a private clinic.

Hearing that the test would require at least Tk 1800, he expressed inability and returned home.   

Selim Hossain, medical technologist of radiology department of Sadar hospital, said it requires only Tk 80 for an X-ray on a big film and Tk 65 on a small sized film at the hospital.

According to hospital sources, the authority cannot purchase such materials other than tender process that may take several months.

Dr Azizul Islam, civil surgeon of Chuadanga, said, “The number of X-ray films that we get per year is much less than the requirement at the hospital. I informed the higher authority of the matter."