‘MRI at PGI takes 3 months, is costlier than Sector 16 govt hospital’
The audit report notes that there is no waiting period at GMSH-16, where an MRI machine operates under a PPP model at lower rates
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The high volume of cases at PGI ensures world-class training for young doctors, who carry forward this expertise across India and abroad, the doctor said.
The audit and inspection report of PGIMER Chandigarh for March 2021 and 2022 highlighted several focus areas, including the procurement and utilisation of drugs, medical tests, and OPD management. The report was shared in response to an RTI filed by activist Ram Kumar Garg.
According to the audit, PGIMER has a waiting period of two to three months for MRI tests and PET scans. MRI charges are Rs 2,500 per region, while a PET scan costs Rs 7,000. The report compares the waiting time for these tests at PGIMER and GMSH-16, noting that there is no waiting period at GMSH-16, where an MRI machine operates under a PPP model, with lower rates than those at PGIMER.
The audit also flagged that the 3T MRI machine at PGIMER was not operational and that the process of purchasing a new machine on a buyback basis took eight months, potentially contributing to the increased waiting period.
The auditors scrutinised appointment registers and other documents to determine the waiting period and observed that only the appointment date was recorded, without noting when it was issued. Additionally, the dates of appointment and test scheduling were often missing.
The audit further questioned the basis for determining MRI charges and when the rates were last revised.
In response, PGIMER clarified that MRIs for emergency and ward patients are conducted immediately. The waiting period for OPD patients depends on several factors, such as weather, festival seasons, and machine breakdowns or reinstallations. The institute stated that maintaining a uniform method for determining the waiting period is not feasible. However, it emphasised that priority is given to cancer patients and those with significant medical conditions based on the recommendations of referring doctors.
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