X-ray film shortage hits government hospitals

CHENNAI: Close on the heels of the ‘laughing gas’ shortage at the Rajiv Gandhi GGH here, state-run hospitals and PHCs have been affected by an acute shortage of X-ray films. The reason, according to sources in the department of health, is that the supplier of films to the Government of India has cut services because of a steep increase in the cost of silver. As a result of this price rise, Hindustan Photofilms has been unable to cater to government hospitals by providing them a carton of 50 films at a cost of `480, the prior fixed rate.As a result, most hospitals in the state are running short on films, that are not only used for X-rays, but also for CT scans and related medical diagnostic aids. While this has certainly hit hospitals such that they have not been able to conduct as many X-rays as they normally would, no crisis situations have come forth, said an informed source.When contacted, Satyabhata Sahoo, MD-Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Limited, said a short term tender had been floated to handle the film shortage issue. “This immediate tender will ensure that no crisis comes up. We have also floated a long-term tender that will ensure that a normal supply chain is re-established,” he said.