Lucknow: Endoscopy services at the Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) have remained suspended for the past two weeks due to maintenance work, forcing patients to seek the procedure at private healthcare facilities.The disruption has delayed diagnosis and treatment and increased expenses for patients dependent on govt healthcare. Before the suspension, the institute conducted around 20 endoscopy procedures daily.Raghvendra Nath, who was advised an upper GI endoscopy, said he was initially given July 31 for the procedure but was informed on Wednesday that it would now be conducted in Sept.“Unable to wait because of persistent pain, I may now have to get the test done at a private hospital,” he said.Many are either being referred elsewhere or opting for private diagnostic centres to avoid waiting.RMLIMS spokesperson Dr Bhuwan Tiwari said endoscopy services were affected after a 15-year-old machine used for advanced procedures became defunct.“A new, more advanced machine has been procured, but installation has been delayed due to construction work and radiation safety requirements. Services are expected to resume within 10 to 15 days,” he said.
