The angiogram machine being out of order in CMCH, has raised serious concerns among heart patients, compelling them to seek alternatives at private medical facilities where the cost of such services is significantly higher. Photo: Messenger
Chittagong Medical College Hospital (CMCH) is grappling with an alarming crisis as its faulty machineries continue to disrupt crucial medical services. The latest casualty is the lone operational Angiogram machine, further exacerbating the suffering of cardiac patients who depend on these services.
This unfortunate development comes on the heels of a series of breakdowns involving the hospital's essential equipment, including Mammography, CT scan, and MRI machines, which were all recently out of order.
With the Angiogram machine now joining the list of non-functional equipment, critical services like pacemaker implantation, angioplasty, and valve dilatation (PTMC) have been abruptly halted. This has raised serious concerns among heart patients, compelling them to seek alternatives at private medical facilities where the cost of such services is significantly higher.
Dr. Ashish Dey, Head of the Cardiology Department at CHMEC, confirmed the non-operational status of the angiography machine. He revealed that the facility only had two angiogram machines, with one becoming inactive in 2021 and the other remaining operational for an extended period before succumbing to malfunction just last week. Consequently, essential procedures like angioplasty and valve dilatation (PTMC) have ground to a halt, leaving patients in a state of distress.
Reports indicate that one of the two angiography machines in the cardiology department's cath lab broke down in July 2021. The cath lab, inaugurated on August 13, 2016, experienced its first equipment failure after just three years. Subsequent breakdowns occurred on October 20, 2020, and July 31, 2021, leading to multiple closures and disruptions in services. Shockingly, the cath lab has been inactive for more than two years since its last closure.
The second angiogram machine, installed on February 29, 2020, with a seven-year warranty, stopped functioning immediately after the warranty expiration. This adds to the ongoing challenges faced by the hospital in providing critical cardiac care services.
The gravity of the situation is underscored by the fact that an average of 250 to 300 patients seek admission to the cardiology department at CMCH daily. In the year 2022-23, a total of 19,297 individuals were admitted to the cardiology department, with 1,976 patients succumbing to their conditions. The previous year, 2021-22, saw 18,210 admissions, resulting in 1,730 fatalities. These figures highlight the urgency of resolving the machinery issues to prevent further loss of lives.
Brigadier General Shamim Ahsan, the director of CMCH, acknowledged the severity of the situation, confirming that both angiogram machines are currently non-functional. The matter was reported to the ministry on January 8, prompting the intervention of engineers from the Bangladeshi company Medigraphic Trading Limited, the supplier of the equipment. These engineers are diligently working to rectify the issues, offering hope that the machines will soon be operational, and crucial cardiac services can resume.
The ongoing machinery crisis at Chittagong Medical College Hospital underscores the pressing need for systemic improvements in healthcare infrastructure. Urgent interventions are necessary to prevent further disruptions in critical cardiac services, safeguard the lives of patients, and restore confidence in the medical facility. A holistic approach is imperative to address these challenges and fortify the hospital's capacity to deliver essential healthcare services.
Messenger/Fardin
