The Maharashtra government has authorised the purchase of portable CT scanners for six state hospitals. The scanners can be used at the bedside specifically for head and neck imaging. The goal is to reduce treatment times and improve diagnostic capabilities, particularly in rural and underprivileged areas.
The move will be particularly helpful for Mumbai’s JJ Hospital, where technological issues often lead to disruptions in the machines, forcing patients to seek scans at other facilities. These delays also affect other patients waiting for scans.
Currently, JJ Hospital operates two CT machines in its radiology department, which is located in a separate building. Because of this, patients and hospital staff struggle to move critical patients from the ICU to the CT scan section. Transporting ICU patients to a different building for a scan poses a risk.
To address this issue, the Medical Education and Drugs Department (MEDD) has allotted INR 24 crore for the purchasing two portable head CT scanners. Each device costs INR 12 crore and will be used to provide faster care to critical patients.
In total, six state-run hospitals will receive portable CT machines. Those hospitals are: Government Medical College in Nagpur, BJ Medical College in Pune, and JJ Medical College; Shankarrao Chavan Medical College in Nanded; Vasantrao Naik Medical College in Yavatmal; and Solapur Medical College.
The government is also buying portable X-ray machines for 27 hospitals and medical colleges across the state. This initiative has been given a budget of INR 19 crore. The supplier will be responsible for installation and providing training to healthcare staff. The machines will be supplied fully operational.
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