Jammu, 06 March (H.S.): A protest was held today outside Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu against the prolonged dysfunction of MRI and CT scan machines, leaving patients struggling to access essential diagnostic services.

Activists, including members of the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal led by Rakesh Bajrangi, assembled outside the main entrance gate of GMC Jammu and raised slogans against the hospital administration. The protesters accused authorities of ignoring the plight of patients who are being forced to undergo expensive diagnostic tests at private laboratories due to the non-availability of services in Government hospitals. Demonstrators also burned an effigy of the Medical Superintendent of GMC Jammu to express their anger over the situation.

Speaking to media persons during the protest, Rakesh Bajrangi said that both MRI machines at GMC Jammu have remained non-functional for nearly a month. He further alleged that CT scan machines at associated hospitals, including Chest Diseases (CD) Hospital, Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital and Super Speciality Hospital Jammu, are also lying defunct, creating a major diagnostic crisis in the region.

He said the breakdown of these machines has caused serious inconvenience to patients, particularly those from economically weaker sections who depend on Government hospitals for affordable healthcare services. With the diagnostic facilities remaining unavailable, many patients are being compelled to seek tests at private centres where the charges are several times higher.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar