Sample the irony. MGM Medical College and Hospital is equipped with ultra-modern machinery, but these are gathering dust for want of either accessories or trained operators.

The state-run hospital in Sakchi, Jamshedpur, had procured a disaster trolley and set up a modular operating theatre at its emergency ward last year, but not a single patient in the 520-bed hospital has benefited from the facilities so far.

On May 6, 2015, the disaster trolley - essentially a mobile life-saving unit equipped with an ECG monitor, oxygen mask and cylinder, and a compact blood transfusion system - was bought for Rs 28 lakh.

A proud MGM had immediately declared, "From now on, a critical case will be attended to at the emergency ward. He or she will be shifted to a bed only when stable." Current status: the trolley is kept in a room under lock and key with no versatile expert to operate all its equipment at a time.

On October 12 last year, the emergency ward received a modular OT - typically meant for accident or assault victims who often need immediate surgical attention - at a cost of Rs 30 lakh.

The MGM management claimed that surgeons would be at extra ease and be able to employ higher degree of precision because hydraulic cables ran the entire system, including surgical tools, the table and lights. The authorities had even mentioned trial runs and promised to have the OT operational in a week's time. Current status: idle because of missing accessories that the hospital never spoke of earlier.

MGM superintendent R.Y. Chowdhury conceded that the medical equipment installed for advanced treatment were not being used.

"We lack technical experts to exclusively operate the disaster trolley. But, doctors at the emergency are encouraged to use it themselves. If they don't, what can be done?" Chowdhury said, adding that he had written to the health department for trained manpower.

On the modular OT, the superintendent said that both absence of technical personnel and key accessories were holding up its debut.

"We have prepared an inventory of accessories for the modular OT, but have no money. Once funds are sanctioned, we will float a tender for these accessories. By that time, trained hands will also be available," Chowdhury said without specifying any time frame.

The hospital sees around 50 patients a day, including 15 referred by police. Around 10 are accident victims and the rest assault cases. Delay in medical attention can be debilitating if not always fatal. So, MGM refers critical patients to Tata Main Hospital (TMH), which is a private facility that many can't afford.

Prahallad Gope, whose 13-year-old son Gaurab suffered multiple injuries on his right leg in an accident, was referred to TMH recently. "We had heard MGM hospital has good treatment facilities now, but all that was a sham it seems," said Gope, who has a milk business in Mango.