Rewari, Mahendragarh government hospitals await MRI facility

Despite the state government’s repeated claims of providing basic diagnostic facilities in every district, government-run hospitals in Rewari and Mahendragarh districts continue to lack MRI services, forcing patients to resort to getting tests done at private centres — which are heavy on the wallet for many — or travel for long periods of time to get these done at government hospitals in other districts.

Astonishingly, Mahendragarh does not even have CT scan facility in its government hospitals, leaving patients entirely dependent on private institutions or government hospitals in neighbouring districts.

The much-awaited health infrastructure upgrade is particularly significant given that Health Minister Arti Singh Rao hails from Rewari and also represents the Mahendragarh’s Ateli constituency. In Rewari, more than 1,500 patients visit the Civil Hospital and the adjoining trauma centre daily.

While CT scan facility is available at the trauma centre, patients needing an MRI must either bear the high cost of availing facilities at private centres or be referred to Rohtak’s PGIMS.

“My family member needed an MRI due to a brain-related issue. We had to spend Rs 6,000 at a private hospital because this facility is not available at the government hospital. The government should make this facility available at the Civil Hospital as soon as possible to ensure affordable treatment for poor patients,” said Kamlesh, a resident of Rewari.

Civil Hospital, Rewari, Principal Medical Officer Dr Surendra Yadav said, “Space for the MRI machine has been identified at the trauma centre, and the process is underway to install it under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Until then, we refer patients to PGIMS-Rohtak and other government hospitals in nearby districts. However, many patients end up getting their tests done at private centres.”

In Narnaul, Mahendragarh’s district headquarters, over 1,200 patients visit the Civil Hospital each day. However, neither MRI nor CT scan facilities are available at the hospital here.

A post of dermatologist (skin disease specialist) and several of pharmacist are currently vacant at the Narnaul hospital.

Kapil, a resident of Narnaul, said he suffered a back injury some time ago.

“I had to pay Rs 8,000 for an MRI at a private hospital because this facility is not available in any government hospital in Mahendragarh district. The government must make this facility available,” he added.

Dr Ashok Kumar, Civil Surgeon, Narnaul, admitted to the lack of these facilities, stating, “We currently refer patients to Bhiwani, Gurugram and Rohtak for MRIs, depending on their convenience. However, a tender has already been floated, and we are hopeful that these diagnostic facilities will soon be available at our district hospital.”

Efforts on to identify space: Health Minister

Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said the state government was working not only to equip Rewari and Mahendragarh with advanced diagnostic facilities, but also to extend such services to other districts.

“In Rewari, efforts are being made to identify the required built-up space for MRI facility. A proposal in this regard is under discussion, and the facility will be made available as soon as all approvals are finalised,” the minister said. Rao added that tenders for two CT scan machines and nine MRI facilities under the PPP model had already been floated by the government agency concerned. “This, too, is in the process, and will be finalised soon,” she said.

Haryana Tribune