“Some investigations that require an MRI will definitely be affected. We will need to refer them to outside places. We have other diagnostic tools, but no MRI.”

Our correspondent also gathered that the MRI machine at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital has been out of service for over six months, with no plans for repair in the foreseeable future.

The ARD president at the hospital, Dr. Steven Adedokun, expressed the hospital’s frustration over the situation, saying, “We have the MRI machine, but it has been epileptic in its functionality. For the past six months, it has been completely down”.

He further explained the challenges the hospital faces as a result, adding, “The main issue is that we are forced to refer patients outside of Ogbomoso for MRI scans. Unfortunately, some of them get lost in the process, either not following up or, in worse cases, passing away before they can receive the necessary investigation, especially those with brain conditions or head injuries.”

Adedokun expressed displeasure about the financial burden on patients, stating that they are forced to incur additional expenses to have the MRI scans done at other facilities.

“For the patients, it means spending more to get the investigation done elsewhere, which is a significant burden for many,” he said.

He also lamented the difficulty faced by radiology department staff, who have to travel to other hospitals for training, given that the MRI machine at LAUTECH Teaching Hospital is unavailable.

“For our colleagues in the radiology department, it’s a struggle to get proper training as they have to go to other facilities where these investigations are being conducted,” Adedokun added.

Our correspondent also gathered that other public teaching hospitals in the region, including the OOUTH in Ogun, FTH and EKSUTH in Ekiti State, do not have MRI scans.

Speaking with several doctors who requested anonymity due to restrictions on discussing the matter, they expressed concern that the lack of functional MRI machines in their hospitals has hindered their access to training opportunities, as they are forced to travel to other locations where MRI investigations are available.

They also pointed out that patients are the most affected, as they must pay significantly higher fees to access MRI scans at private facilities.

PUNCH Healthwise observed that the shortage of MRI machines in public teaching hospitals has led to a thriving market for private hospitals and diagnostic centres, which often charge exorbitant fees for MRI scans, making them unaffordable for many patients.

Our correspondent gathered that the cost of an MRI scan in Nigeria varies widely, ranging from N50,000 to N200,000, depending on the type of scan and the facility.

Meanwhile, a public health physician, Dr Dele Adetoye described the situation as ‘unacceptable’, urging the government to take urgent action to address the shortage.

He lamented that many public hospitals struggle to cope with inadequate funding, outdated equipment, and a shortage of medical personnel.

Adetoye stated, “The lack of MRI scans in public hospitals is a clear indication of the government’s failure to prioritise the health needs of its citizens. I want to urge the government to take immediate action to address this shortage and ensure that all public hospitals have access to functional MRI scans.


https://healthwise.punchng.com/only-one-out-of-eight-teaching-hospitals-in-swest-has-functional-mri-machine/