The CT scan facility installed in Mongar regional referral hospital (MRRH) on July 24 has not been operational.

This is because the hospital is yet to have a radiologist to operate the machine.

Medical Superintendent, Dr Pelden Wangchuk, said the health ministry informed them that a radiologist from JDWNRH would come to the hospital and deliver the service as a temporary measure.

He said the hospital arranges for a substitute from JDWNRH or nearby dzongkhags whenever there is no gynaecologist or medical specialist at the hospital.

A Mongar town resident, Ugyen Wangchuk, said the health ministry should provide a radiologist to the hospital so that people could reap the benefit of the CT machine.

Dr Pelden Wangchuk said the installation of the CT scan facility would help the people of six eastern dzongkhags, who will no longer travel to Thimphu to avail CT scan facility at the JDWNRH.

He said the hospital refers about three to four patients to Thimphu every month for CT scan, excluding patients who are not admitted.  

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) donated the CT scan machine along with spirometer and Holter-ECG machine worth Nu 30 million. 

Tashi Phuntsho | Mongar