Berhampur: Over a year has passed since the govt provided a new 3 Tesla MRI machine to MKCG Medical College and Hospital here but the modern screening device is yet to start functioning for apparently a lack of uninterrupted power supply for its operation. The govt provided the advanced MRI machine to the medical college in April last year.“We have conducted a series of meetings from time to time with engineers and officers concerned to discuss uninterrupted power supply to the new MRI machine for its operation. As all needs for its operation are not fulfilled, it is yet to be function,” admitted Sudeepa Das, superintendent, medical college and hospital here.She has written a letter to director of medical education and training, Bhubaneswar, recently requesting for his urgent intervention for completion of pending electrical issue for commissioning of 3T MRI machine.The essential requirements for its function are included an automatic operation of the DG set during power failure, provision of DG backup to the system to ensure uninterrupted operation during power failure, stable and permanent power supply for MRI installation, maintenance of required room temperature and humidity conditions etc, she saidShe has requested the DMET for sanction of around Rs 13.07 lakh for upgrading the MRI building from 250 KVA to 662 KVA, which will be deposited to the power distribution company.Presently, there is a MRI machine operating in the medical college, while the college authorities have tied up with a private diagnosis center for the screening of the patients, referred from the medical college. On an average screening of 20 patients are done per day in these two facilities, sources said.The upgrade of the screening facilities was necessary due to the heavy patient load at the medical college and hospital and the growing need for faster and more accurate diagnosis. The 3T MRI machine will provide clear and more detailed reports about the patient’s illness and help doctors. The new machine has the capacity to screen more patients, especially those needing advanced brain, cancer, heart, leaver etc.