The only MRI machine at Dhaka’s Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital has remained out of order since March 27, 2021, leaving patients in severe distress. Despite several repair attempts, the hospital failed to obtain government approval, and the Tk 18 crore machine is now nearly defunct. As a result, low-income patients are forced to seek costly MRI tests at private centers, while wealthier patients manage the expense more easily. The hospital also faces shortages of functioning CT scan, X-ray, dialysis, and ICU equipment, with 20–25 machines currently unusable.

The 1,350-bed public hospital is overcrowded daily, with long queues at ticket counters, outpatient and emergency departments, and diagnostic units. Many patients wait hours for doctors and tests, while some allege that paying intermediaries speeds up services. Inside the hospital, temporary vendors block ambulance access, worsening delays for critical patients. Officials admit that the hospital operates far beyond its capacity, with over 3,500 inpatients and only 20 ICU beds.

Hospital authorities have applied for a new MRI machine, hoping for approval soon, but until then, both patients and medical students continue to suffer from the lack of essential diagnostic services.