The sonography test is a basic investigation that's done on almost all patients streaming into Cama Hospital, mostly women and children, said a senior doctor. Eighty per cent of patients who visit the Outpatient Department go for this test. Pregnant women have to take the test at least thrice to keep tabs on foetal growth. The test is also conducted on women undergoing treatment for infertility and patients of gynaecological problems. The test costs a very affordable Rs 20.

Hospital sources said the machine has not been functioning since three weeks, severely crippling the doctors in making diagnoses or prescribing treatment. Patients who need to be investigated in a hurry have no option but to visit nearby sonography centres, where the test can cost upto Rs 750.

Ever since the machine was installed in 1988, the Rs 20 paidby patients is supposed to be reserved for its maintainance and repair. Despite this, the machine has still not been repaired. A senior official pointed out that while authorities didn't seem to be able to get a sonography machine repaired, on the other hand, the hospital has been purchasing sophisticated and expensive equipment for tests like mammography and endoscopy.

Hospital superintendent Dr Sadhana Tayade confirmed that the sonography machine has been out of order. The manufacturing company has not yet given an estimate for its repair, she added. The machine has developed a major fault which will take a while to get repaired, she said. However, she denied that patients are having to go to private centres for getting the tests, and claimed that they were being referred to GT Hospital.

Dr Tayade also concurred that the money being charged from patients for doing the tests is maintained as a fund, but added that it could not be diverted for repair of the machine. This money is utilised for buyingmedicines which poor patients cannot afford, she told Express Newsline.