Taking exception to the shifting of the newly purchased MRI scan machine to the Indira Gandhi Government Medical College hospital from the Government General Hospital (GGH), DMK (South) Convener R Siva, MLA on 10th October demanded that it be functioned at the GGH itself.

In a statement, Siva said in 2002, a MRI scan machine was purchased for the GGH. Since,there was no qualified persons to operate the machine with new technology, GH staff were trained in this. However, since, the machine was operated by non-qualified persons, it became defective, causing hardships to the patients coming to the GGH. Though the MRI scan machine is essential now-a-days and its absence led to the patients taking scans in private hospital spending thousands of rupees, he said.

Following pressure form MLAs in the assembly a new MRI scan machine was purchased. But instead of installing it in the GGH, it was taken to the medical college hospital, where also it was not working for the last six months. He said several crores of rupees of the government was wasted and added already the GGH is functioning for name sake only with the equipment, staff and specialists being shifted to the Medical College hospital, affecting the patients in the urban areas. Now the MRI scan machine also was shifted, he said and demanded that it be installed at the GGH and steps be taken to operate it with trained staff.