Rudrapur: Ultrasound returns at district hospital from November 18 after three months, radiologist from another hospital every Wednesday; MRI at medical college within 15 days

Ultrasound, shut for about three months at the Rudrapur district hospital, will resume from November 18. According to Amar Ujala, the machine had been idle since the radiologist was transferred, and pregnant women and patients with stomach and kidney problems had to pay for costly scans at private centres. Under a stop-gap arrangement made by CMO Dr SK Goswami, a radiologist will now be called from another hospital every Wednesday to do ultrasound scans; a letter has been sent to the government for a permanent radiologist. Meanwhile, MRI scans will start within 15 days at the Pandit Ram Sumer Shukla Government Medical College. According to principal Dr CP Bhaisora, installation and technical testing of the machine are in the final stage; scans of the brain, spine, knee, shoulder, abdomen and other parts will be done at government rates, and patients will not have to go to Haldwani or private centres. According to Hindustan, more than 1,500 patients reached the medical college hospital's OPD when it reopened on Thursday after the Diwali holidays, with long queues from the registration counter to the medicine counter.