RM100 Mln For Modern X-Ray Equipment In Govt Hospitals - Dr Noorimi

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 24 (Bernama) -- More than RM100 million is needed to modernise the obsolete and outdated X-ray equipment being used in most government hospitals, Health Ministry Medical Development Director Datuk Dr Noorimi Morad said Saturday.
He said most of the X-ray equipment being used no longer complied with the upgraded safety features in line with the rapid advancement in the medical imaging technology.
"I cannot deny X-ray exposure in excess of its threshold can bring adverse effects like inflammation of the tissues and can also cause cancer.
"So, patients have to avoid getting exposed to X-rays unnecessarily," he told reporters after opening the Seventh Scientific Meeting on Medical Imaging hosted by the Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research.
Dr Noorimi said only a small number of the 131 government hospitals have the latest imaging technology.
He said a more sophisticated imaging technology like computed tomography or CT-Scan was available in most regional or government specialist hospitals.
Recently, government hospitals started using the positron emission tomography technology or PET-CT Scan which could detect ailments like early stage of cancer, he said.
Kuala Lumpur Hospital Imaging Specialist Dr P. Sathyamoorthy said most of the X-ray equipment in government hospitals were more than 15 years old and did not comply with the latest safety features.
He said the latest imaging technology could produce good images and reduce X-ray exposures.
More than 50 medical specialists are attending the one-day seminar to discuss the latest imaging technology.