Appointments for CT, MRI scans at National Hospital cancelled

28 April 2025 03:37 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 14 Bookmark

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Colombo, April 28 (Daily Mirror) - The Picture Archiving and Communication System (PAC System) at the National Hospital has been out of service for the past two weeks leading to the suspension of appointment scheduling for CT and MRI scans, sources said.

According to informed sources, non-payment to the system provider and a full data storage network have led to the breakdown.

Several years ago, the hospital installed the PAC system to streamline radiology services.

With its introduction, images and data related to CT, MRI, and other radiological diagnostics were digitized and stored, replacing the previous method of printing images on radiographic films.

The system was expected to reduce operational costs, particularly the high expenses related to film usage, and to improve efficiency, in line with practices adopted by hospitals worldwide.

Currently, the PAC system has completely ceased functioning.

Sources indicate the system, which initially required significant upfront and annual maintenance costs, has now effectively become a “white elephant.”

As a result, CT and MRI appointments have been suspended, creating a severe crisis for patient diagnostics.

In light of the situation, the Joint Council of Supplementary Medical Professionals has urged the Health Minister, Health Secretary, and Director-General of Health Services to urgently intervene and organize a meeting with all relevant parties to restore services as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, a senior official at the health ministry told Daily Mirror that the matter is being addressed and steps are being taken to rectify the shortcomings.

Comments - 14

Mohannad Monday, 28 April 2025 05:00 AM

Poor mentality and irresponsibility; without KPIS for government employees, this kind of waste will occur. They somehow know they will receive their salary. Infrorduct KPI (Key Performance Indicators) for each department and connect their salaries to these KPIS. They will automatically work

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Ram P Monday, 28 April 2025 05:41 AM

If this breakdown could not be fixed for two weeks it is disturbing. Those who get these tests done in the Public Hospital are those who cannot afford high payment. Is the Government not concerned about them? Digitalised images that can be saved is practiced in many countries and sooner than later ths system must be fixed

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P Kunchithapathan Monday, 28 April 2025 05:52 AM

'Physicians heal thyself'. It is a deliberate act by the hospital’s top management to facilitate the growth of private hospitals’ earnings. Senior consultants and the administrative arm of the health service failed to take adequate measures to rectify the systemic issues. Each year, successive governments allocate substantial funding to the health sector, in addition to the foreign aids received by hospitals. The persistent failure to address these problems reflects sheer negligence on the part of both the Ministry of Health and senior management. In the past, doctors eagerly pursued their duty-free allowances to purchase vehicles yet showed little concern for the pressing issues afflicting hospital infrastructure.

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Man Monday, 28 April 2025 06:04 AM

AKD had said that the government has put a stop to wastage and misuse where privileges of the President, Ministers and MPs have been cut down and that the money thus saved is used to provide relief to the people. So another lie of the NPP as the purpose of such savings with these sorts of shortages in the health, education sectors, etc. with no benefit to the ordinary people of any sort. There is a shortage of 1,900 medicines unlike ever before even in the period of bankruptcy. What a change that was inspired by the intelligent 6.8 M voters. Kudos!

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Observer Monday, 28 April 2025 10:43 AM

This did not happen in the last few months but the usual Keheliya and other earlier admins responsible. Not thinking ahead. You litter the floor and leave and the new tenant has to clean the garbage.

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AKD and the NPP need more time, please Monday, 28 April 2025 03:21 PM

@Observer – Please refrain from making puerile statements. AKD and his cohort came to power promising to clean up the mess. Six months into their administration, things have only become dirtier than ever, rather than improving. The only cleaning they have accomplished has been through "empty words". Nothing is happening at any level. Do not attempt to launder the government's dirty linen. Feel free to continue blaming past governments for the next five years.

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M Fernando Monday, 28 April 2025 06:08 AM

Advantage of private sector !

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RanjithT Monday, 28 April 2025 06:09 AM

"FORTUNATELY" comrade health minister has other more urgent work like blaming previous governments fabricating stories to wash dirty linen above all disposing 650 tonnes of garbage due to politically motivated ill conceived unprepared event, he missed the importance of diagnosis component of patient care. Take your time comrade elections are due next week and comrade can attend to CT/MRI scan issues leisurely.

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Priya Monday, 28 April 2025 06:23 AM

which hospital??

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sarath gooneratne Monday, 28 April 2025 08:23 AM

Sack the hospital Director and person in charge immidiately. This is gross negligence and lethargy !! This is the only way to stop coruption. Others will learn fast. Now the Doctors will want scans done in private units where they will get a commission. Most of our Medical Consultants are corrupt. They don't pay taxes correctly. They take patient's money under hand.

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gallbanis Monday, 28 April 2025 10:18 AM

yes very true.. but there will be severe repurcussions like strikes in which the govenment should be bol;d enough to address. Sacking is the best policy then only other departments and hospitals will work accordingly and the top boss should take accountability of he/she is taking a salary. Can imagine how poor patients/families who travel long distances are affected and do not have the money to go to private hospitals, all because of poor management.

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Rana Monday, 28 April 2025 09:29 AM

NPP big talks but no results.. even basic health care is stalling... we now need a mature leader like Kaju seeya

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Obvious Monday, 28 April 2025 10:48 AM

health care is stalling because the previous admins only did day to day functions with eyes on bribes. This could not happen in a month or two. No forward planning and suddenly the new admin saddled with arrears.

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Reza Dole Monday, 28 April 2025 03:39 PM

Now the present minister of health is sleeping, even the injection for cancer patients at the maharagama cancer hospital is not available. Useless to have a doctor rated minister who is only a spokesman. Only whistle no action.

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