MRI shortage at KMC-RI delays patient scans

Hubballi

Karnataka Medical College-Research Institute (KMC-RI) is struggling with a severe shortage of MRI machines. The hospital currently has only one MRI scanner to serve between 75 to 100 patients daily. However, only 25 to 35 scans can be performed each day due to time constraints. Each scan takes 20 to 30 minutes, limiting the number of scans despite staff working in two shifts.

Installed at a cost of ₹12.5 crore, this is the hospital’s only MRI machine. Due to its low cost—₹4,000 per scan and ₹2,000 for BPL cardholders, and free for SC/ST and Antyodaya cardholders—many patients, even from outside regions, visit KMC-RI for scans. This has increased pressure on the facility, with at least 80 patients waiting in line daily. The current waiting period for a scan ranges from 10 to 15 days.

“Shekappa Pujar, from Byadagi taluk, said they had to wait in a long queue to be scanned at the hospital. The government should sanction one more MRI scanning machine,” he urged.

Dr SF Kammar, Director of KMC-RI, explained, “The cost of an MRI scan at the hospital is much lower when compared to private scan centres. While it costs ₹5,000–7,000 in private centres, at KMC-RI, patients have to pay ₹4,000 per scan, BPL card holders ₹2,000, and the service is free of cost for SC/ST and Antyodaya card holders. So poor patients visit KMC-RI to avail the facility.” There is growing demand to add another MRI machine to ease the burden.