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Concept Note
Enhancing Diagnostic Capacity through Provision of CT Scan Equipment at Pushpagiri Mission Hospital
Location: Gudalur, The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu
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1. Background
Pushpagiri Mission Hospital, located in the tribal and rural belt of Gudalur in The Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, has been serving marginalized communities for several decades. As a charitable and mission-driven institution, the hospital provides compassionate and affordable care to both Adivasi (tribal) and non-tribal populations.
With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and outreach, the hospital offers essential secondary healthcare services including general medicine, obstetrics, surgery, pediatrics, emergency care, X-ray, and laboratory diagnostics. The dedicated team of doctors, nurses, technicians, and support staff serves as a lifeline for thousands living in this geographically and socioeconomically challenging region.
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2. Rationale
Annual Patient Load:
• Outpatients: ~50,000
• Inpatients: ~3,000
• Deliveries: ~320
• Catchment Population: ~25,000 tribal and ~2,00,000 non-tribal residents from Gudalur and surrounding areas
A critical challenge faced by the hospital is the absence of an in-house CT scan facility, which severely hampers timely diagnosis and treatment - particularly for stroke patients arriving within the golden window period, where immediate imaging is essential to initiate life-saving thrombolytic therapy (e.g., Retiplase).
Though the Government Hospital in Gudalur has a CT scanner, it lacks reporting facilities, forcing patients to travel 40-60 km to Ooty or Sulthan Bathery for complete imaging and diagnosis. This delay can lead to missed treatment windows, disability, or even death. Additionally, the cost of scan and transport ranges between ₹7,000 and ₹8,000, which is unaffordable for most tribal and low-income patients.
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3. Problem Statement
The unavailability of a dedicated CT scan service with real-time reporting results in:
• Missed treatment opportunities for stroke (time-sensitive)
• Delays in trauma, cancer, and emergency diagnosis
• Frequent patient referrals to distant towns
• High out-of-pocket costs (₹7,000-₹8,000)
• Increased morbidity and preventable mortality
• Reduced faith in local healthcare infrastructure
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4. Project Objectives
• Establish an in-house CT scan facility with immediate reporting
• Enable life-saving thrombolytic therapy (Retiplase) for stroke patients
• Improve diagnosis of trauma, neurology, oncology, and surgical emergencies
• Reduce financial and travel burden on poor patients
• Build institutional capacity in emergency imaging and interpretation
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5. Proposed Intervention
Pushpagiri Mission Hospital seeks funding for the procurement and installation of a CT scan unit, with associated infrastructure, training, and long-term support. The key components include:
• CT Scanner: Minimum 16-32 slice multi-detector CT capable of brain, thorax, abdomen, and angiography imaging
• Installation & Shielding: Civil work for console room, radiation safety compliance
• Technical Training: For radiographers, emergency physicians, and IT integration
• Real-time Reporting: On-site or teleradiology link for immediate decisions
• Maintenance Plan: AMC and preventive upkeep for at least 3 years
• Integration: With hospital records and emergency response system
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6. Expected Outcomes
• Faster and more accurate diagnosis for stroke, trauma, cancer, and emergencies
• Life-saving thrombolysis for stroke within the golden hour
• Reduction in avoidable disabilities and deaths
• Fewer referrals to distant towns
• Reduced economic burden on poor and tribal families
• Enhanced community trust in the hospital's capabilities
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7. Existing Social Health Services at Pushpagiri
Palliative Care Unit (Since 2004)
• Registered in 2005 as Gudalur Palliative Care Society (GPCS)
• Over 1,527 cancer and bedridden patients cared for
• Palliative Ward: Six-bedded semi-private room offering:
o Free doctor consultation
o Nursing services
o IP medications
o Room rent waived for poor patients
• Palliative Clinic (Fridays, 9 AM - 2 PM):
o Free consultations and medicines, including morphine
o Psychological, spiritual, medical, and financial support
• Home Care (Mondays & Wednesdays):
o Free visits to bedridden cancer/stroke patients
o Provision of air beds, walkers, wheelchairs, and dressings
Dialysis Unit (Since 2020)
• 15 dialysis machines in operation
• 82 patients receiving completely free dialysis under CMCHIS
• All consumables including dialyser and blood tubing provided free through Pushpagiri Charitable Trust
These services reflect the hospital's broader commitment to equity, dignity, and care for the most vulnerable.
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8. Budget Estimate
Item Details Estimated Cost (INR)
CT Scanner (16-32 Slice) GE / Siemens / Philips / Canon ₹1.2 - ₹1.8 Crores
Site Preparation & Shielding Civil work and safety compliance ₹20 - ₹30 Lakhs
Power Backup (UPS/Generator) High-load compatible ₹10 - ₹15 Lakhs
Training & Capacity Building For technicians and clinicians ₹3 - ₹5 Lakhs
3-Year AMC & Support Manufacturer/partner maintenance ₹10 - ₹15 Lakhs
Total (Estimated) ₹1.7 - ₹2.5 Crores
Note: Final cost will vary based on model and vendor selection.
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9. Conclusion & Call to Action
Installing a CT scan facility at Pushpagiri Mission Hospital will dramatically improve emergency response, especially for stroke and trauma patients, and will save lives through timely and affordable diagnosis.
Given Pushpagiri's proven track record in palliative care, dialysis services, and compassionate outreach, we invite Rotary International, CSR donors, foundations, and individual benefactors to join us in expanding diagnostic access to one of Tamil Nadu's most underserved regions.
Your support can bridge the diagnostic gap for thousands - and bring dignity, hope, and healing to those who need it most.
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