KARA CHI - Radiology-based medical tests have become more economical in the metropolis after the inauguration of Dow Diagnostic Complex at Ojha Campus of Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS). DUHS has set up the diagnostic facility at a cost of Rs 214 million while Rs 180 million have been spent on machines only. The disadvantaged people will now be able to access the most modern diagnostic facilities at 40 per cent to 60 per cent prices lower than the private laboratories. The facility includes Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 1.5 Tasala, Computed Tomography scan 16 slices Bright Speed X-ray, mammography and colour Doppler Machine. These latest equipments will help experts especially in providing medical treatment to patients suffering from cancer and hepatitis B & C. Director Dow Diagnostic Complex, Dr Rafique Khanani said that the diagnostic facilities were being provided first time in Pakistan at a very cheap rate. A few of these were available at very high price in some big private hospitals only, he said, adding that medical tests of MRI, mammography and echocardiography had been considered very expensive but DUHS had significantly minimised the machine investigation prices to facilitate underprivileged people. We are using latest MRI 1.5 Tasala, which is rare in the country. Ultrasound-guided surgical procedures will also be carried out at the complex. Our institute is also using most recent mammography, which is the process of using low-dose amplitude-X-rays to examine the human breast. This is used as a diagnostic as well as a screening tool, he said. According to Wikipedia, The goal of mammography is the early detection of breast cancer, typically through detection of characteristic masses and/or micro-calcifications. Mammography is believed to reduce mortality from breast cancer. No other imaging technique has been shown to reduce risk, but breast self-examination (BSE) and physician examination are considered essential parts of regular breast care. Dr Khanani further said the MRI tests in private hospitals are conducted at a arte of Rs 12,000 while these are done at Rs 3,000 at our complex. However, several tests related to hepatitis B & C will be carried out at very low prices. At the complex, we are using PACS computer technology, provided by machines suppliers that will enable doctors belonging to other facilities to access their required test reports through their computers. MRI 1.5 tasla means maximum efficiency of MRI machines which can check the whole body rapidly and completely, CT Scan 16 slices means, this machine can scan whole body in all planes in a single breath, which will benefit children and very sick patients, who could not hold breath so many times. It will be possible now to provide proper treatment to all those 40 to 50 per cent cancer patients who could not be treated timely due to expensive diagnostic tests, he added.