Latest news with #KidwaiMemorialInstituteofOncology
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
MRI repair to be completed today: Kidwai hospital in Bengaluru
Bengaluru: Hours after TOI reported that over 185 patients at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology had been waiting nearly three weeks for MRI scans due to a defunct machine, the hospital Friday said the part needed repairs has arrived and the machine is expected to be operational by Saturday. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Kidwai, Karnataka's largest govt-run cancer hospital, has faced mounting criticism after patients queued up daily at the MRI room, only to find the same handwritten sign: 'MRI Machine Not Working.' TOI, in its Friday's (July 18) edition had highlighted the plight of patients in a report titled "3 weeks on, 185 patients await MRI scan at Kidwai hosp". The hospital's MRI machine is over 11 years old, and the delay in repair, Kidwai director Dr Naveen T had told TOI Thursday, was due to the part not being available in India. "...It is being imported from Germany," he had said. On Friday, Kidwai, in an official statement, said no patients were adversely affected by the malfunction and that arrangements were made to send patients to Nimhans and Sanjay Gandhi hospitals via ambulance. However, a reality check by TOI revealed only five patients were actually sent for scans to Nimhans on Friday, while Sanjay Gandhi hospital received none.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Three weeks on, Kidwai's sole MRI machine still not working
Bengaluru: Every morning for the past three weeks, cancer patients — many in wheelchairs — arrive at the MRI room at Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, only to see the same sign taped to the door: MRI Machine Not Working. At Karnataka's largest govt-run cancer hospital, at least 185 patients have been on the waiting list since the hospital's sole MRI and mammography machine broke down in late June. For cancer patients, an MRI scan is not optional — it is critical for diagnosis, follow-ups and monitoring disease progression. At the reception, patients are asked to leave their phone numbers. They are told they will be called once the machine is fixed. But so far, no timeline has been given. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru KC Devraj, a brain tumour survivor from Ramanagara, is number 184 on the waiting list. He travelled to Kidwai for a follow-up MRI but had to return without a scan. " by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Could Be the Best Time to Trade Gold in 5 Years IC Markets Learn More Undo We started at 6am today [Thursday]. My wife took the day off work. It takes the whole day for us to come and go. And now they say the machine isn't working. Where will the poor go if govt hospitals fail like this?" Devraj said. For him, getting the scan done at a private hospital is unaffordable. "A scan at a private hospital will cost me at least Rs 7,000. I can't afford it." At Kidwai, below poverty line (BPL) patients and those with govt health cards or insurance get scanning done for free. For others, a brain scan costs Rs 3,000, still less than half the rate at private hospitals. Scans for other parts of the body follow a similar rate difference. Devraj doubts whether the hospital will actually call him back. "We'll probably have to return multiple times just to check the status. It's a burden we can't afford." Kidwai relies on a single MRI machine, normally catering to 20-25 patients daily. Its staff admit this is no longer sustainable. "The machine is almost 11-12 years old. A crucial part is damaged and needs replacement, but the specific part isn't available in India. It's being sourced from abroad," a radiologist said. Another staff member confirmed the issue has been reported to higher authorities and an inspection is underway. The hospital is also facing questions about administrative issues. Naveen Bhat Y, who serves as both the hospital administrator and CEO of zilla panchayat, Chikkaballapur, is rarely seen at Kidwai. "We usually have to go all the way to Chikkaballapur just to get his signature on documents," a hospital staffer told TOI. Kidwai director Dr Naveen T did not respond to calls and messages. However, hospital officials said Thursday that an MoU was signed with Nimhans and Sanjay Gandhi Trauma Centre to offer MRI scans for Kidwai patients. But this arrangement has not been clearly communicated at the reception, leaving most patients unaware.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Patients struggle as MRI and mammogram machines break down at State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology
Scores of cancer patients visiting the State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology are facing long delays in diagnosis and treatment as the hospital's MRI and mammogram machines have been out of order for days. As a result, patients are left with no choice but to wait or seek costly alternatives elsewhere. The MRI scanner, crucial for diagnosing and monitoring tumors, reportedly broke down ten days ago, while the mammogram machine — vital for breast cancer screening — has been non-functional for over a fortnight, according to hospital staff. Patients and their families, many of whom travel from rural areas and depend on the subsidised services at Kidwai, said they cannot afford private diagnostic centers where the cost of an MRI or mammogram can run into thousands of rupees. 'I came here three days ago for my scan, and they told me the machine is not working. They asked me to come back after a week, but I cannot stay in Bengaluru for very long. Where will I go?' asked a 47-year-old breast cancer patient from Mandya district. Sources said that the breakdown has caused severe bottlenecks. 'We are trying to prioritise urgent cases. The repairs are taking longer than expected,' a doctor said. Alternate arrangements The hospital officials acknowledged the problem and said that tenders for repair and maintenance are under way. 'The MRI and mammogram machines are undergoing repair due to technical issues. To ensure that diagnostic services continue without disruption, alternative arrangements have been made,' said an official statement from the institute director. 'MRI scans are now being facilitated at NIMHANS and Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Trauma and Orthopaedics, based on a formal agreement (MoU) with these institutions. Patients admitted at Kidwai are being referred and provided the necessary diagnostic support at these centres,' the statement said. The State government has approved the procurement of a new MRI machine, and steps are under way to repair the existing mammogram machine, it added.
The Hindu
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
International Yoga Day: Over 3,000 expected to participate in mass yoga session in front of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru
To mark International Yoga Day, celebrated on June 21, over 3,000 people, including yoga experts, are expected to participate in a synchronised mass yoga demonstration session in front of the Vidhana Soudha from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Saturday. This session will be in line with the Union AYUSH Ministry's 'Yoga Sangama' initiative, under which synchronised mass yoga sessions are planned at over one lakh locations across India on June 21. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, apart from several film actors, will participate in the Vidhana Soudha event. Addressing presspersons after releasing Yoga Day posters on Tuesday, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao said all participants would follow the Common Yoga Protocol (CYP). 'This year's theme 'Yoga for one earth, one health' highlights yoga's role in promoting physical, mental, and environmental well-being, aligning with global calls for sustainability and unity,' he said. The promotional programmes include 'Yoga Dhanush', 'Yoga Unplugged', 'Green Yoga', 'Yogadhyana', and 'Yoga Sangama'. While 'Yoga Dhanush' and 'Yoga Unplugged' are being conducted across the State, the remaining programmes will be rolled out in due course at the district level, Mr. Gundu Rao said. About 5,000 people are expected to participate in separate yoga demonstration sessions to be held in every district as part of the Yoga Day events. Seminars on yoga and its benefits on health will be held in the University of Mysore, NIMHANS, Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, and Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences in the last week of June. That apart, awareness jathas and human chains will also be organised as part of the Yoga Day events, the Minister said. Proposal to declare Mysuru as 'Yoga district' The State has sent a proposal to the Centre urging that Mysuru district be declared as 'Yoga district'. Under this, at least one member of each household in this district will learn and practice yoga. This year, a massive yoga session under the title 'Yoga Mahakumba' will be held on the Mysuru palace premises and about 15,000 people are expected to participate. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had led the Yoga Day celebrations at the Mysuru palace in 2022, and the venue is one of the iconic platforms to promote not only yoga but also Mysuru tourism.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Minister: Residential school for cancer-affected children in Bengaluru from current academic year
Minister for School Education Madhu Bangarappa said the State government will open a residential school near the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru for the cancer-affected children from the current academic year. Speaking to reporters in Shivamogga on Saturday, Mr. Madhu Bangarappa said that the school would be set up to provide education and treatment for the cancer-affected children. The government had consulted a non-governmental organisation to submit an action plan, he said, adding that initially around 1,500 children could be accommodated. 'There were around 3,500 children with cancer in the State, and it could be cured with proper care and medication,' the Minister said. To improve the quality of teachers, the Minister said the government had contacted the Infosys Foundation to conduct training for 50,000 teachers, he said. Regarding the SSLC supplementary examination results, the Minister said that children of government schools performed better compared to those in private and aided schools. The idea of supplementary examinations had helped in stopping students from giving up studies. The government had given them the opportunity to take exams without paying a fee, he added. District Congress Committee president R. Prasanna Kumar and district guarantee schemes implementation authority president Chandra Bhoopal and others were present.
