Repair of MRI machine in Mumbai hospital to cost more than Rs 80 lakh

On January 27, a 32-year-old had died after being pinned by a leaking oxygen cylinder to an MRI machine at Nair hospital.

The cost to repair the MRI machine at Nair Hospital, which killed a Lalbaug resident in a freak accident last month, is set to cross Rs80lakh.

The MRI room where the accident took place. (HT File)

With the machine being shut for over two weeks, patients who need MRI facilities are forced to travel to other government-run diagnostic centres or pay double the cost at private facilities.

Rajesh Maru, 32, died on January 27 after being pinned by a leaking oxygen cylinder to an MRI machine at Nair Hospital.

An autopsy said that Maru inhaled poisonous amounts of liquid oxygen that had leaked when they tried to pull him out after his hand was crushed between the cylinder and the machine, which should not have been switched on at the time.

“There were two rounds of detailed inspection by the manufacturers of the machine. Since the metal coil of the machine, which is one of the most integral part is damaged, the repair cost has run in Rs59lakhs. There are some other repairs which are going to cost over 20lakhs,” said Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean of Nair Hospital.

Hospital officials have been referring patients, who need MRI service to Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital in Sion and KEM Hospital in Pare. The hospitals, due to their excess load, in turn have been asking the patients to visit government facilities in Govandi and Borivli.

“Only those who are currently admitted can get MRI scans done; the rest will get an appointment in August-September. If you don’t want to take the appointment, please visit Shatabdi Hospital, Govandi or Bhagwati Hospital, Borivli,” is the daily announcement by doctors in charge of the diagnostic centre at KEM Hospital.