Thu Jun 12 14:25:02 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
The MRI machine at the Kanniyakumari Government Medical College and Hospital in Nagercoil has been out of service for a week due to the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private firm. This is forcing patients, many of whom rely on the hospital’s lower prices and insurance coverage, to seek more expensive services from private scanning centers. While the hospital claims to have signed a new MoU with a local private center to provide scans at the same rate and promises a new MRI machine within a few months, patients face immediate inconvenience and potential financial burden. Some patients also expressed concern about the lack of awareness surrounding the new MoU. Hospital officials denied claims of a shortage of radiology technicians.
**News Article:**
**MRI Services Disrupted at Kanniyakumari Government Hospital, Leaving Patients in Limbo**
*NAGERCOIL, INDIA – June 12, 2025* – Patients seeking MRI scans at the Kanniyakumari Government Medical College and Hospital are facing significant challenges as the facility has been out of service for the past week. The disruption stems from the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a private firm that previously operated the machine.
The hospital’s MRI services are crucial for many patients, particularly those without insurance or who rely on government healthcare schemes, as the hospital charges a significantly lower rate of ₹2,500 per scan compared to private centers. The outage forces patients to seek more expensive alternatives, creating a financial burden for those already struggling with medical expenses.
“The facility is crucial for emergency cases,” said Surya, an attendant from Pallivilai, highlighting the inconvenience of traveling to access MRI services elsewhere.
Hospital officials have confirmed the shutdown and stated that a new MoU has been signed with a private scanning center on Water Tank Road in Nagercoil, offering the same rate as the hospital. However, some patients remain unaware of this agreement and are potentially overpaying at other private facilities.
According to hospital sources, the Tamil Nadu Medical Service Corporation Limited is scheduled to install a new MRI machine within the next two to three months. In the meantime, the hospital has assured that radiology technician staffing levels are adequate, dismissing previous concerns of shortages.
The situation underscores the importance of seamless transitions in healthcare service agreements to avoid disruptions in patient care. Patients and their families are urging the hospital administration to expedite the installation of the new MRI machine to restore affordable and accessible diagnostic services.
First Piper 