Three X-ray machines lying unused for years

SYLHET, Nov 16: Over 0.5 million (5 lakh) inhabitants of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar are deprived of getting services due to the absence of technicians while 3 X-Ray machines had been lying almost unused.
The post of technician has been lying vacant for over 2 decades, alleged a number of locals. However, a new X-Ray machine has been brought for the important Upazila Health Complex.
In such a situation, poor and marginal patients have to move to the private diagnostic centres at higher prices for nominal tests even.
The complex was established in 1972 for the 0.5 million inhabitants of the 13 union parishad and a pourasava. The then finance minister M Saifur Rahman in 1995 formally inaugurated the X-Ray service here with a machine worth Tk 1.4 million.
Another machine worth Tk 3.5 million was brought in 2006. But, mysteriously the said machines couldn't be put in operation as yet. Meanwhile, a new machine worth Tk 2.3 million, brought 3 months ago remained packed as yet.
A number of locals alleged that the hospital staff always ask the patients for X-rays from the private diagnostic centres outside at high prices.
Normally, about 500 to 600 patients get treatment outdoors while 100 to 150 at the emergency and 50 patients remain admitted regularly. Among them at least 50 have to get their X-rays done from outside.
An official at the Health Complex said the higher authority has been requested on many occasions for appointing at least a technician for the complex, but to no effect as yet.

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