CT scanners at Tamale Teaching Hospital break down

The only two Computerized Tomography(CT) scan machines serving the three Northern regions at the Tamale Teaching Hospital have not been working for some months now.

Scores of patients at the teaching hospital whose illnesses require the services of the machines are compelled to rent ambulance from the north to the southern part of the country to undergo the needed diagnostic medical attention.

One of the two scanners has been damaged beyond repairs, Atinka News can reveal.

A relative of a patient, Mr. Shaaban Adams who was at the facility, narrated his ordeal, adding that his relative has been referred to the Komfo-Anokye Hospital to undergo diagnosis tests before they (Tamale Hospital) could commence full treatment him.

He said they paid GHC800 for the Ambulance service and have nothing left to embark on the journey. According to him, they will be compelled to appeal for support to complete the diagnostic tests.

A doctor (namewitheld) at the facility demystifying the functions of the scan machine, said it helps a doctor to discover the interior parts of humans, and also evaluate the brain, neck, spine, chest, pelvis and abdomen.

He further said people with cancer usually go through a computerized tomography to evaluate the spread of diseases and also to evaluate the various structures of the brain to look for blood vessel abnormality.

Staffs of the Advance Imaging Centre were not at post during the visit, except a woman who claimed she was a worker.

Efforts to reach the Public Relations Officer of the facility for a response have yielded no results .