The ongoing conflict in West Asia has led to delays in the delivery of imported spare parts, resulting in the inoperability of KEM Hospital’s sole MRI machine. This situation has compelled patients to seek costly scans at private diagnostic facilities.
The MRI machine has been out of service for over 15 days following a malfunction in a vital component of its cooling system. This incident has highlighted the persistent shortage of MRI services in Mumbai’s public hospitals.
On Wednesday, the daughters of 44-year-old Vanita Patil were seen outside KEM Hospital’s MRI section, attempting to arrange the necessary scans for their mother, who is currently hospitalized with multiple injuries.
Hospital staff provided them with a list of private diagnostic centers available outside the MRI unit. “You should call the centers to inquire about their fees. If they are too high, consider asking your mother’s doctor to negotiate on your behalf. They might lower the price,” a nurse on duty advised the sisters.
The family expressed their difficulty in securing funds for the procedure. “An MRI scan costs at least Rs 15,000, which is beyond our means. We are looking for ways to have it done at a lower cost. Our mother’s doctor mentioned that even if we ask, the diagnostic center may not significantly reduce the fee, and we will likely have to proceed with it anyway,” one daughter shared with The Indian Express.
KEM Hospital serves as a critical tertiary care facility for patients from across Maharashtra and neighboring regions. Its MRI services are vital for a variety of medical needs, including trauma, neurology, neurosurgery, oncology, and emergency situations.
Hospital personnel indicated that there is no clear timeline for when the MRI machine will be operational again. “It has been more than 15 days since the machine broke down, and we have no updates on its repair,” a nurse stated.
According to hospital officials, the annual maintenance contract for the MRI machine has lapsed, and a proposal for repairs has been awaiting approval from the BMC’s Public Health Department for approximately 15 days.
Dr. Harish M Pathak, Dean of KEM Hospital, emphasized that the primary issue lies in the delay of receiving replacement parts. “The MRI machine is over nine years old, and a crucial component of its cooling system has failed. The necessary spare parts are not readily available in India. We placed an order about a month ago, but due to the current global crisis and the war’s impact, we have not received them yet. Similar supply chain challenges are affecting multiple countries,” Dr. Pathak explained.
He also mentioned that the hospital had established agreements with private diagnostic centers last year to mitigate such situations. “We signed Memoranda of Understanding with accredited private diagnostic centers, which were instructed to charge rates comparable to those at KEM Hospital, typically between Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,500 per body part. As far as I know, these centers have been adhering to these guidelines,” he noted.
However, patients have reported being quoted significantly higher prices. A hospital official stated that MRI scans at KEM generally cost around Rs 2,500 per body part, although concessions are available for patients from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The official also clarified that private centers can set their own pricing.
Addressing concerns regarding patient costs, Dr. Pathak reassured, “The hospital administration has made provisions to ensure that patient care and diagnostic services continue without interruption during this time. In accordance with our agreements with accredited diagnostic centers, MRI scans referred from KEM Hospital are being conducted at Municipal Corporation rates, preventing any additional financial burden for eligible patients.”
This equipment breakdown has also revived discussions about the need to enhance MRI infrastructure in BMC-run hospitals. Senior health officials revealed that four new MRI machines, one each for KEM, Nair, Sion, and Cooper hospitals, are anticipated to be installed later this year.
Dr. Shailesh Mohite, Dean of Nair Hospital and Director of Medical Education and Major Hospitals at BMC, confirmed that the procurement process is nearing its conclusion. “The procurement for the new MRI machines is almost finalized. Purchase orders have been placed, and we expect the machines to be available by September to October. In the meantime, we have made arrangements for alternative MRI facilities to minimize patient inconvenience,” Dr. Mohite added.
Meanwhile, the MRI machine at Nair Hospital has been non-functional since 2023, forcing patients to rely on referrals and other facilities for their imaging needs.
BMC officials mentioned that Sion Hospital currently operates two functioning MRI machines, while MRI services at Cooper Hospital are being provided through a public-private partnership arrangement.
