Insufficient number of radiologists causes delay in getting scan facility in Ramanathapuram GH

Short-staffed radiology department at Government Medical College Hospital in Ramanathapuram leads to delays and errors in patient care.

While six of the seven sanctioned radiologist posts at Government Medical College Hospital in Ramanathapuram remains vacant, the entire burden of cases is on the shoulder of one radiologist serving at the hospital. 

Due to insufficient number of radiologists, patients also face delay in getting their scans done.

Of the seven sanctioned posts – one professor, one associate professor, two assistant professors, two senior residents and one National Health Mission posting - only the NHM posting is filled now.  

Though one assistant professor is employed at the hospital, due to the long leave, which the doctor has availed, that post too remains temporarily vacant.  

In this situation, doctors at the hospital said that approximately 500 cases a day which were referred to any of the scans were being dealt with by a single radiologist. 

About 80-120 CT scans, 100 ultrasound scans ,15 MRIs, 150 X-rays, which would be referred to by doctors of various departments, should be dealt by the team working under a single radiologist.

Though CT scan and MRI scan would be handled by technicians, the final report has to be given by the doctor. In case of ultrasound, only radiologist would handle the equipment, the doctors added.