Siliguri, Feb. 16.TT: The district hospital here has purchased a Color Doppler that will help patients get echocardiographydone at subsidised rates.
Earlier patients had to go to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital or private diagnostic centres in town for the advanced heart test.
“We had placed a proposal before the state health department for the purchase of a Color Doppler machine and they granted funds of Rs 16 lakh recently. We purchased the machine this month,” said Subir Bhowmik, the chief medical officer of health.
The NBMCH is the only government institution in Siliguri subdivision that conducts echocardiography tests. The Siliguri district hospital that caters for around 800 patients saily has provisions to conduct pathological tests, X-rays, ultrasonography, electrocardiography and liver functioning tests now.
Officials said once the Color Doppler machine was put in use, patients would be able to get echocardiography done in subsidised rates. Private facilities charge around Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for the test. The tests would be free for BPL category patients, Bhowmik said.
“Echocardiography enables ultrasound images of the heart to determine blocked arteries and heart valve diseases. It is a very good screening process that examines valves and chambers of the heart in a non-invasive manner,” he added.
Post a Comment
We love to hear from you! What's on your mind?