NAROWAL: The CT scan machine at Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital, Sialkot, has been out of order for over a week, forcing patients to seek expensive tests at private laboratories.

Ansir Mahmood, of Sambarial, said he had to take his cousin to a private lab for a CT scan, which cost Rs11,000. He also paid Rs1,800 for a digital X-ray.

He said he had concerns about the qualifications of the private lab staff, as the technician conducting the CT scan was repeatedly seeking instructions over the phone. He said the CT scan report was written by a doctor from a private hospital.

Ayesha Bibi, of Kala Pahar, Pasrur, faced a similar issue. She said she was advised by doctors at Pasrur Tehsil Headquarters Hospital to get a CT scan and went to Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital in Sialkot. Upon arrival, she learned that the hospital’s CT scan machine was broken and was directed to a private lab, which demanded Rs11,000 for the scan.

Ayesha, who only had Rs4,000, expressed her inability to afford the test.

Local residents, Muhammad Ajmal and Muhammad Aamir, accused the hospital staff of colluding with private labs. They alleged that even when the hospital’s CT scan machine is functional, patients are still referred to private facilities.

Attempts to contact the Medical Superintendent of Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital for comment were unsuccessful.

Patients and local citizens have called on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to take immediate action.

Medical Superintendent Dr Sohail Anjum says the hospital’s CT scan machine was installed by NGOs and is currently functional. He said the health department had a contract with a healthcare organisation, which was responsible for providing free CT scans to patients.

However, Dr Anjum alleged that the NGO operating within the hospital had been charging patients for the scans.

He said the Punjab government was in the process of installing a modern automatic CT scan machine at the hospital, but the NGO was allegedly creating unnecessary obstacles.

The matter was currently with the health secretary, and efforts were being made to install the new CT scan machine as soon as possible.

Published in Dawn, August 29th, 2024