Berhampur: The radio-diagnostic department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital here is in a shambles.

The MRI unit, CT scan, mammography and OPG X-ray machines are lying defunct. While two of the seven X-ray machines do not function, the ultrasound machine runs only for a limited time. Radiologists remain present on duty only for few hours and there is nobody to look after the management.

"The MRI unit has not been functioning for the past two days. When I contacted the centre to do the MRI of my relative, I came to know that the machine was under general maintenance, and it would take another few days to resume the operation," said one Dinabandhu Mishra, who visited the facility on Monday to do the MRI on his patient. "The brain scan costs Rs 6,000 in private diagnostic centres, while at the MKCG MRI unit, it costs Rs 4,000. That's why we visited the hospital."

"The MRI unit has been running in the public private partnership mode since past one year and would resume within three days," said an official.

However, the CT scan machine at the unit has remained out of order for the past two years. "The MKCG charges Rs 1,000 for the brain scan (Rs 3,000 in any private diagnostic centre), Rs 1,700 for abdomen scan (Rs 5,000 in private facilities), chest Rs 1,400 (Rs 4,000 in private nursing homes) and limbs Rs 1,000 (Rs 2,500 outside)," said radiographer Shuklambar Sahu. He said the Rs 3 lakh-worth CT scan machine used to provide service to about 40 patients daily.

Radio-diagnostic centre head Dr Krushna Chandra Biswal said: "We are planning to resume the service of CT scan in the PPP mode."

Moreover, the ultrasound machine runs for a limited period only, alleged Harekrushna Sahu of Aska, who is suffering from kidney stone ailment. "I do not know, why the ultrasound tests are conducted only in the morning and early hours in the afternoon. At times, we can't show the reports to the doctors," he said.

The mammography machine has remained defunct since past four years. The OPG X-ray to film the gum has been defunct since it was installed seven years ago. Two X-ray machines (each cost Rs 20 lakh) of the seven has remained defunct for past two months, sources said.

The MKCG has no digital X-ray machine. The existing ones are obsolete and need to be discarded once they are defunct. "No X-ray machine has been repaired," said a radiologist. The Manav Adhikar Suraksha Manch, which is spearheading agitation for better health care in the MKCG, has demanded immediate installation of the CT scan and digital X-ray machines.