Patients benefit as Pari offers affordable MRI scans

PARIRENYATWA Group of Hospitals has begun offering magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan services that diagnose cancers, neurological disorders and heart disease, among other conditions, with over 100 patients having benefitted since September last year.

A state-of-the-art MRI centre was commissioned by President Mnangagwa at the country’s largest health referral centre last September. The Government procured a hightech 1.5 Tesla MRI machine to help enhance the diagnosis of some diseases.

Another unit, also procured by the Government, was installed at Mpilo Hospital in Bulawayo in October. This milestone marks a significant step towards increased accessibility and affordability of the service to Zimbabweans. The 1,5 Tesla MRI is a specialised imaging tool suitable for a diverse range of examinations, including brain imaging for diagnosing tumours, stroke and other neurological disorders; musculoskeletal imaging for assessing bones, joints, muscles and ligaments; abdominal and pelvic imaging for evaluating organs like the liver, kidneys, uterus and ovaries; cardiac imaging for examining the heart and its structures; and spinal imaging for diagnosing problems with the spinal cord and nerves.

The scanners typically have a wider bore, offering more space for patients, and potentially reducing claustrophobia anxiety.

Prior to the establishment of the centre, such scans were only available at private healthcare institutions, with costs per scan often exceeding US$500, placing the service beyond the reach of many Zimbabweans. ◆ Read more on: www.sundaymail.co.zw