The X-ray unit of the District Hospital in Salyan, set up in 1987, has been out of order for the last month inconveniencing proper functioning at the hospital.
The 30-year old portable X-ray machine of Japanese manufacture was not only mal-functioning but also emitting radiation, which is considered a serious health hazard. Since the rays emitted by the machine affects people within a radius of 500 metres, it was decided to stop using the machine, with the hospital lacking X-ray facility for almost a month, said Dr. Lugeshwor Acharya.
Dr. Acharya stated that those exposed to radiation from this outdated machine have a high probability of contracting cancer later in life. Dr. Acharya informed that most patients requiring X-ray services have been referred to health centres in Dang and Nepalgunj.
With two to three patients requiring X-rays every day, patients are having a difficult time, as well as undergoing unnecessary expenses travelling to nearby districts for X-rays.
Reports indicate that the particular machine had to be finally removed from use after I.N.F., a foreign social organisation mentioned in a report that emanations from such obsolete machines was fatal for those exposed to its rays. The hospital has since, requisitioned for a modern X-ray machine in its place.
Even though the hospital has made frequent requests, the Department of Health has not shown any interest to resolve the matter so far, informed Narendra Maharjan, officer of the District Public Health Office.
"The district hospital has approached the health department and the Ministry of Health with the demand for a modern X-ray unit, without which we cannot function smoothly, but nothing positive has developed so far", informed Dr. Acharya, while talking to the The Kathmandu Post correspondent. He also stated that three senior employees of the hospital had been sent to the concerned department, which has made no effort to respond to their urgent need.
"It is a disconcerting factor for patients of this district to be deprived not only of X-ray facilities but other facilities as well," says Acharya. He urged intellectuals, politicians, and members of the administration to bring about some positive changes to this region. SALYAN, June 17 : The X-ray unit of the District Hospital in Salyan, set up in 1987, has been out of order for the last month inconveniencing proper functioning at the hospital.
The 30-year old portable X-ray machine of Japanese manufacture was not only mal-functioning but also emitting radiation, which is considered a serious health hazard. Since the rays emitted by the machine affects people within a radius of 500 metres, it was decided to stop using the machine, with the hospital lacking X-ray facility for almost a month, said Dr. Lugeshwor Acharya.
Dr. Acharya stated that those exposed to radiation from this outdated machine have a high probability of contracting cancer later in life. Dr. Acharya informed that most patients requiring X-ray services have been referred to health centres in Dang and Nepalgunj.
With two to three patients requiring X-rays every day, patients are having a difficult time, as well as undergoing unnecessary expenses travelling to nearby districts for X-rays.
Reports indicate that the particular machine had to be finally removed from use after I.N.F., a foreign social organisation mentioned in a report that emanations from such obsolete machines was fatal for those exposed to its rays. The hospital has since, requisitioned for a modern X-ray machine in its place.
Even though the hospital has made frequent requests, the Department of Health has not shown any interest to resolve the matter so far, informed Narendra Maharjan, officer of the District Public Health Office.
"The district hospital has approached the health department and the Ministry of Health with the demand for a modern X-ray unit, without which we cannot function smoothly, but nothing positive has developed so far", informed Dr. Acharya, while talking to the The Kathmandu Post correspondent. He also stated that three senior employees of the hospital had been sent to the concerned department, which has made no effort to respond to their urgent need.
"It is a disconcerting factor for patients of this district to be deprived not only of X-ray facilities but other facilities as well," says Acharya. He urged intellectuals, politicians, and members of the administration to bring about some positive changes to this region
The 30-year old portable X-ray machine of Japanese manufacture was not only mal-functioning but also emitting radiation, which is considered a serious health hazard. Since the rays emitted by the machine affects people within a radius of 500 metres, it was decided to stop using the machine, with the hospital lacking X-ray facility for almost a month, said Dr. Lugeshwor Acharya.
Dr. Acharya stated that those exposed to radiation from this outdated machine have a high probability of contracting cancer later in life. Dr. Acharya informed that most patients requiring X-ray services have been referred to health centres in Dang and Nepalgunj.
With two to three patients requiring X-rays every day, patients are having a difficult time, as well as undergoing unnecessary expenses travelling to nearby districts for X-rays.
Reports indicate that the particular machine had to be finally removed from use after I.N.F., a foreign social organisation mentioned in a report that emanations from such obsolete machines was fatal for those exposed to its rays. The hospital has since, requisitioned for a modern X-ray machine in its place.
Even though the hospital has made frequent requests, the Department of Health has not shown any interest to resolve the matter so far, informed Narendra Maharjan, officer of the District Public Health Office.
"The district hospital has approached the health department and the Ministry of Health with the demand for a modern X-ray unit, without which we cannot function smoothly, but nothing positive has developed so far", informed Dr. Acharya, while talking to the The Kathmandu Post correspondent. He also stated that three senior employees of the hospital had been sent to the concerned department, which has made no effort to respond to their urgent need.
"It is a disconcerting factor for patients of this district to be deprived not only of X-ray facilities but other facilities as well," says Acharya. He urged intellectuals, politicians, and members of the administration to bring about some positive changes to this region. SALYAN, June 17 : The X-ray unit of the District Hospital in Salyan, set up in 1987, has been out of order for the last month inconveniencing proper functioning at the hospital.
The 30-year old portable X-ray machine of Japanese manufacture was not only mal-functioning but also emitting radiation, which is considered a serious health hazard. Since the rays emitted by the machine affects people within a radius of 500 metres, it was decided to stop using the machine, with the hospital lacking X-ray facility for almost a month, said Dr. Lugeshwor Acharya.
Dr. Acharya stated that those exposed to radiation from this outdated machine have a high probability of contracting cancer later in life. Dr. Acharya informed that most patients requiring X-ray services have been referred to health centres in Dang and Nepalgunj.
With two to three patients requiring X-rays every day, patients are having a difficult time, as well as undergoing unnecessary expenses travelling to nearby districts for X-rays.
Reports indicate that the particular machine had to be finally removed from use after I.N.F., a foreign social organisation mentioned in a report that emanations from such obsolete machines was fatal for those exposed to its rays. The hospital has since, requisitioned for a modern X-ray machine in its place.
Even though the hospital has made frequent requests, the Department of Health has not shown any interest to resolve the matter so far, informed Narendra Maharjan, officer of the District Public Health Office.
"The district hospital has approached the health department and the Ministry of Health with the demand for a modern X-ray unit, without which we cannot function smoothly, but nothing positive has developed so far", informed Dr. Acharya, while talking to the The Kathmandu Post correspondent. He also stated that three senior employees of the hospital had been sent to the concerned department, which has made no effort to respond to their urgent need.
"It is a disconcerting factor for patients of this district to be deprived not only of X-ray facilities but other facilities as well," says Acharya. He urged intellectuals, politicians, and members of the administration to bring about some positive changes to this region
