People with Tuberculosis (TB) have to get their tests done from outside as the lone X-ray machine of the lone government Chest Disease Clinic in the town has been out of order for 18 years.

The new X-ray machine which was purchased in August last year is yet to be installed due to dilapidated condition of the building.  

Besides, the patients are to do other tests for lack of facilities in the government clinic.  

On an average, 900 patients take out-door treatment every month, said Medical Officer Dr Devjani Sanyal, adding that for lack of test facilities they cann't provide proper services to them'. 

The TB patients have been suffering for years together as the only government clinic is running without X-ray machine, said sources at the clinic.

Some patients and their attendants said as the lone government clinic, meant for free treatment, is running without X-ray machine, they are to pay extra-money for their tests outside that is a huge burden for them. 

Meanwhile, a syndicate is doing good business for years and they are active against installation of the X-ray machines, said the sources. 

A source at the TB clinic, seeking anonymity, said the patients are advised to do their X-ray and other tests from New Ultra-Sonography Clinic and Pathology in the town's Kalibari area as there is a nexus between a section of staff and employees of the clinics.

Only cough test is available at the government clinic, said Medical Officer Dr Devjani Sanyal. The patients are advised to get other essential tests done from outside as arrangement for the tests are absent, he added. 

Dr Sanyal, however, denied any nexus with outside clinics for doing the tests.

The patients, mostly belonging to poor families in Mymensingh, Netrakona, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Tangail, Manikganj and Sunamganj come to the hospital for treatment, he said. 

X-ray and all other tests related to the diagnosis and treatment of TB have to be done at private clinics and it costs a patient around Tk 700 to Tk 900, which is three to four times the official rate, patients told this correspondent. 

“We have adequate supply of medicines and the patients who come here are given the medicines not only for TB but also for other complications related to the disease,” said Mymensingh Deputy Civil Surgeon Dr Parikshit Kumar Parh.

Doctor Parh said a new portable digital X-ray machine allocated for the clinic is stored at the District Reserve Store. He said it has not been installed yet due to the awful condition of the TB Clinic building, which was built in 1962 and has become risky. 

Civil Surgeon Dr Md Khalilur Rahman said the new X-ray machine will be installed after renovation of the building.