Despite being the largest district in Karnataka with a population crossing 50 lakh, Belagavi continues to struggle with severe medical infrastructure deficits.
The Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) houses the only state-run MRI scanning facility in the entire district, forcing poor and middle-class patients to endure waiting periods of one to two months for a scan – reports ETV Bharat.
Lifeline for Surrounding Districts and Neighboring States
While the district features over a hundred primary and community health centers alongside taluk hospitals, none offer government-subsidized MRI services outside of BIMS.
Consequently, underprivileged patients from neighboring districts—including Bagalkote, Vijayapura, and Uttara Kannada—as well as adjacent areas of Maharashtra and Goa, rely heavily on this single facility.
Belagavi district has six licensed MRI machines and eight CT scan centers, but five MRI units and seven CT facilities operate in private hospitals. Unable to afford the high costs of private diagnostics, patients with severe illnesses and accident trauma have no viable alternative but to wait in line at BIMS.
Capacity Strained Around the Clock
- Daily Scan Limit: Operating 24/7, the single MRI machine accommodates 25 to 30 patients daily, with each procedure taking approximately 30 to 40 minutes.
- Inpatients vs. Outpatients: Admitted inpatients receive priority scanning and get reports within 24 hours.
- Severe Outpatient Backlog: Outpatients registering for a scan face scheduled wait times ranging from one and a half to two months.
New MRI Unit in Tender Stage, Says BIMS Director
Addressing the bottleneck, BIMS in-charge Director Dr. Vinay Dastikoppa confirmed that the hospital currently operates two CT scanners and one MRI unit. With an aging CT machine adding to the workload, the administration submitted a proposal to the state government for additional equipment.
The government has approved the procurement of a second MRI machine, which is currently in the tender phase and expected to be installed soon to ease patient distress.
