Largest children’s hospital in Sindh struggles as only MRI machine remains out of order

KARACHI: The National Institute of Child Health (NICH), the largest children’s hospital in Sindh, is facing severe challenges as its only MRI machine has been out of order for over a month. The breakdown has left hundreds of child patients and their families in distress, forcing them to turn to expensive private hospitals for critical diagnostic tests.

Patients from across Pakistan visit NICH for specialized pediatric care, but the absence of a functional MRI machine has led to significant delays in diagnosis and treatment. Parents are compelled to spend thousands of rupees at private medical facilities, as even Jinnah Hospital lacks MRI testing for children.

Hospital staff have reportedly abandoned the MRI department due to the machine’s prolonged failure, leaving the unit practically non-operational. Concerned parents are demanding immediate action from the government to repair the machine and restore services.

According to hospital administration, a vital component of the machine is damaged and needs to be imported from abroad. Until the part arrives, the MRI facility will remain unavailable. This delay has further fueled frustration among affected families, who are urging authorities to expedite the repair process and prevent further hardship for ailing children.

With Sindh’s healthcare system already under strain, the ongoing crisis at NICH underscores the urgent need for improved medical infrastructure and proactive maintenance of essential diagnostic equipment.