Two very modern and expensive machines called (EEG Two 64 channel Digital Electro Encephalogy) machine and the only Electro Moy Graph (EMG)/Nerve Conduction Velocity (NCV) Machine, which together amounts to Rs 90 lakh are gathering dust in Neurology Department of prestigious Government Super Specialty Hospital, Jammu for last about two years. Purchasing some latest and useful machines for detecting various ailments and supporting healthcare is certainly an appreciable decision on the part of competent authorities. We welcome Government’s policy of providing the best treatment and facility to the patients. But it has to be remembered that sophisticated machines can be handled only by the trained technical staff. In other words, it means that before going in for an expensive machine, the Health Department should raise qualified and trained technical staff to handle the machines. In absence of technically trained staff, the machines when handled by non technical and non professional staff are liable to be damaged before these are used. Spending 90 lakh rupees on two machines and then allowing them to gather dust is wanton waste of public money and disservice to the community. Aspersions are cast on the Acting Head of the Department of Neurology. This is unfair on the face of it. If some official is actually proving a hindrance in the path of installing these machines properly, there are higher ups in the Health Department who are equally and perhaps more responsible to ensure smooth functioning of the department. They should have raised the issue with the Government as to why the expensive and much needed machines are left to collect dust and not made use of. The Government has spent a good deal of amount on the machines and posts of technical staff are also sanctioned. Why these posts have remained vacant for such a long time when we want to reduce the level of unemployment in the State.
This wanton waste has been experienced in some more machines and equipment purchased by the Health Department and the Government Medical institutions. These are sophisticated machines needing trained and skilled staff to handle them with utmost care so that their utility as support to public health is fully brought out. The Health Minister and Secretary Health Department have the responsibility of looking into the matter and see to it that no wanton waste occurs out of whimsical decisions and no follow up action.
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