Hazaribag: Technical faults in key equipment at Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital have disrupted orthopaedic surgeries and blood screening, while three of its four lifts remain out of service, causing hardship to patients.A defective C-Arm machine in the orthopaedic operation theatre has delayed surgeries for nearly a dozen patients, several admitted for almost a week. Doctors said the machine provides real-time images and is essential for some complex procedures.Deputy superintendent Dr Rajkishore confirmed the fault and said steps would be taken to repair the machine. Hazaribag MP Manish Jaiswal directed his media representative, Ranjan Choudhary, to raise the issue with hospital authorities.Choudhary sought immediate repairs and an additional C-Arm machine, saying the existing unit had malfunctioned repeatedly. A second unit would allow surgeries to continue when one was under repair, he said.The hospital’s ELISA machine has also remained out of order for three days, interrupting mandatory blood screening. Officials said 33 units of blood were in stock but could not be issued without screening.ELISA tests are conducted in Hazaribag before samples are sent to RIMS, Ranchi, for NAT testing. Samples have not been forwarded because the ELISA machine is not functioning.The disruption has alarmed nearly 300 registered thalassaemia patients in the district who require regular transfusions. Blood bank in-charge Poonam Kujur said senior officials had been informed and repairs were being pursued.The lift failures have particularly affected elderly, critically ill and disabled patients. Late Monday, Choudhary met deputy commissioner Hemant Sati and sought senior emergency doctors at night, commodes in wards and five quality wheelchairs each for male and female wards. Sati assured restoration.
