Anantnag, Aug 14 (KNO): Patients across South Kashmir are grappling with hardships due to the absence of a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility at Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag.
In the absence of this critical diagnostic service, patients are left with no option but to seek costly scans at private diagnostic centres—a burden many cannot afford.
Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), several patients expressed frustration over the long-standing delay in making MRI services available at GMC Anantnag, which caters to a large population from Anantnag and neighbouring districts.
Sameer Ahmad, a resident of Anantnag, said doctors recently advised him to undergo an MRI scan. “I was shocked to learn that such a facility is not available at GMC Anantnag or in any government hospital in South Kashmir. We are compelled to visit private centres where the scan costs between Rs 5,000 and 6,000 — an amount out of reach for many patients,” he said.
Another patient, Mubarak Ahmad, echoed these concerns. “Many patients like me are forced to arrange the money somehow to get an MRI done privately. But there are dozens who simply can’t afford it, and they have no choice but to skip the test altogether, which delays their treatment and sometimes worsens their condition.”
Patients say that it is the economically weaker sections, who bear the brunt of this gap in healthcare infrastructure. The absence of timely diagnosis not only prolongs suffering but can also turn manageable conditions into critical health emergencies. They have urged the authorities to expedite the establishment of the facility at GMC so that poor patients do not have to suffer due to financial constraints.
A doctor posted at GMC Anantnag, who wished to remain anonymous, emphasised the urgent need for an MRI facility. “MRI is a non-invasive and highly advanced imaging technique that provides detailed insights into the human body’s internal structures. Its importance spans across neurological diseases, spinal cord lesions, vascular disorders, musculoskeletal conditions and abdominal or pelvic ailments,” the doctor said.
He added, “An MRI is more than just a diagnostic tool; it’s a lifeline for timely and accurate diagnosis, enabling well-informed treatment decisions. A dedicated space in the A-Block has already been earmarked for the scanner, and we hope the facility will be available at the earliest.”
Principal of GMC Anantnag, Prof. (Dr.) Rukhsana Najeeb, confirmed to KNO that the MRI services will be made operational by the end of this year—(KNO)