ISLAMABAD: The National Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (Nirm) has replaced its CT scan machine, after the last one went out of order almost five years ago.

The last machine was repaired a number of times before it completely stopped working.

Federal Minister for National Health Services (NHS) Aamer Mehmood Kiani on Tuesday went to Nirm and inaugurated the new CT scan machine, which was procured via a donation.

NHS minister inaugurates machine procured via donations

According to a press statement issued by the ministry, the minister said that health facilities are being provided to ensure quality healthcare in line with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

“The new CT scan machine is worth Rs10 million and has been donated by a philanthropist but he has requested that his name not be revealed. The machine will be able to conduct 10 scans a day.

“Patients had to get the test done from a private lab which costs Rs10,000 a test and now they will be able to get it done for free at the hospital,” Nirm Executive Director Dr Fazle Maula told Dawn.

“We also have an MRI machine which was installed in 1997 and in 2008, the company told us it had become obsolete, but we are still using it,” he said.

Dr Maula said the hospital mainly deals with mentally and physically disabled patients.

“Most of our patients are mentally challenged, visually impaired, deaf or have other physical disabilities. A prosthetic limb costs between Rs150,000 to Rs300,000 and hearing aid costs Rs40,000.

“We do three knee replacements every day and we provide all such devices for free,” he said.

Dr Maula said about 900 patients visit the hospital every day.

“Unfortunately, due to lack of funds, the only option we have is to contact philanthropists, who have donated a number of equipment recently, which has helped immensely in the treatment of patients,” he said.

The NHS minister on Tuesday inaugurated the new machine.

“We are making utmost efforts under direction of the prime minister to bring improvement in the health sector. We will remove all obstacles in the way of provision of quality health care to the masses.

“People will soon see visible improvement in quality of care in government hospitals. Federal government is going to include 30 million families in the ambit of health card during next year,” he was quoted to have said.

The minister issued directions for upgrading the operation theatre on an emergency basis as well as all other departments.

He assured the hospital of his full support and cooperation all the time for any such initiatives taken by Nirm management.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2018