A digital X-ray unit at the Institute of Child Health and Hospital for Children in Egmore here was commissioned on Tuesday by Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that X-ray reports would now be made available faster. The X-ray image can be enlarged digitally using less radiation and negligible chemical processing through the new equipment and thus benefit people who depend on the hospital.
Forty one such digital units have been procured, at a cost of nearly Rs.30 crore, and they would be installed in 10 hospitals in different districts, Mr.Panneerselvam said. Government General Hospital, Stanley Medical College and Kilpauk Medical College and Hospital are the other government facilities in the city that would soon get digital X-ray equipment, he added.
Director of the Institute of Child Health P. Ramachandran said that the equipment uses “a digital image capture device to record the X-ray image and convert it into a file. “Since the patient's exposure to radio waves is reduced by half, it is very useful for children, he said, adding that the digital X-ray image could be viewed at different planes and depths. “The image is much sharper, and the need for repeated films is also reduced,'' he added.
Principal Secretary Health V. K. Subburaj said that though major achievements have been made in the field of radiology, modernisation of government hospitals in the State is yet to pick up at the desired pace. He added that the medical field faced a “super-specialty manpower shortage'', especially in the areas of paediatrics, cardiology and neurology.
To provide remedial measures to children who face dribbling of urine because of neurological conditions, or non-coordination in evacuation of urine, a specialised ‘Child Urinary Continence Clinic' in the hospital was also inaugurated at the same function. The clinic would provide Urodynamic testing facilities that would analyse reasons for bladder dysfunction, Mr. Panneerselvam said.
The minister also announced that 60 new vehicles would be added to ‘108 ambulance service' fleet to meet emergency medical requirements. Launching the ‘Newborn Week' to be celebrated this week, he stressed the importance of addressing medical problems of children aged below two.
Director of Medical Education V. Kanakasabai and Minister for Information and Urban Development Parithi Illamvazhuthi participated in the programme.
