Patients admitted to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo are waiting two to three days for MRI scans, even though the hospital has several MRI machines, a specialist doctor has alleged.

Dr. Chamal Sanjeeva said the number of MRI scans carried out each day at certain units of the National Hospitals in Colombo and Karapitiya had been limited to between 10 and 12. He said this was causing severe difficulties for patients.

According to Dr. Sanjeeva, patients in Wards 81, 9 and 10, and in the Neurotrauma and Neurosurgical units, are among those affected. He said patients sometimes stay in hospital wards for several days waiting for a scan, and planned surgeries are delayed as a result.

He said the Colombo National Hospital has four MRI machines, each valued at about Rs. 400 million, which are not being used effectively. He said a similar situation had been reported at the National Hospital in Galle.

Dr. Sanjeeva also questioned why such costly equipment was not being used to its full capacity, when official circulars have told hospitals to ensure the maximum possible use of medical equipment.

“A patient is admitted to a ward and stays for three days, but the surgery cannot be performed because an MRI scan is unavailable. Ultimately, an impoverished patient is compelled to pay Rs. 100,000 to get the scan done elsewhere. This is unacceptable when there is a Rs. 400-million machine available,” Dr. Sanjeeva said.

He called for an immediate investigation and urged the authorities to make sure the available MRI facilities are used effectively, to cut delays and ease the burden on patients.

Background

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses strong magnetic fields to produce detailed pictures of soft tissue such as the brain, spinal cord and joints. Doctors commonly rely on it to diagnose and plan treatment for head, spine and nerve conditions, which is why neurosurgical and neurotrauma units depend heavily on scan results.

Government hospitals in Sri Lanka provide most diagnostic services free of charge, so patients who cannot get a scan in the public system must turn to private centres and pay the full cost.

What it means

For patients, the allegations point to two practical costs: longer stays in hospital beds while surgery waits, and out-of-pocket spending at private laboratories, which Dr. Sanjeeva put at around Rs. 100,000 for one MRI scan.

Dr. Sanjeeva has asked for an investigation into why the available machines are not used to their full capacity.