Kathmandu, June 28

CT scan machine at National Trauma Centre has remained non-functional for the past eight months as the centre is unable to repair the machine’s tube.

A 16 slice CT scan machine of the hospital stopped working after a tube in the machine stopped working. The machine is capable of acquiring 16 images per rotation. “The maintenance cost of the tube is around Rs 80 lakhs,” said Pramod Kumar Yadav, medical superintendent at the centre. The centre stated that it would resume the service within a month.

CT scan aids pinpointing tumour location, infections and blood clots. It helps to diagnose muscle and bone disorders such as bone tumours and fractures. It is useful in the diagnosis and monitoring of cancer, cardiac diseases, lungs and liver diseases.

The hospital receives around 500 patients each day. Of them at least 20 patients need CT scan service. Lack of regular maintenance of the machine has compelled patients to visit private health facilities for the service.