Siemens Medical Solutions has installed Magnetom Essenza, a 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system (MRI) at Aatmajyoti MRI Centre of Surat Manav Seva Sangh, Surat. This seva sangh is popularly known as Chhayando, a charitable trust. Chhayando has set-up this MRI Centre in the premises of New Civil Hospital in Surat.

Magnetom Essenza is a powerful 1.5 Tesla system with technological innovations like tim (total imaging matrix) technology, IsoCenter Matrix Coil, etc. incorporated into it. Tim technology has revolutionized MR imaging around the world by dramatically changing the workflow as well as improving patient comfort. For instance, a complete examination of the entire central nervous system can be performed in less than ten minutes, without having to reposition the patient even once.

The advantage of IsoCenter Matrix Coil is that the user does not need to carry large, heavy spine coils any more and the patient preparation time is shortened. Magnetom Essenza also has a shorter magnet length than many conventional 1.5 Tesla MR systems, making the examination much more pleasant for the patient.

Till date, MRI facility was unavailable at the New Civil Hospital, owing to which many poor patients either opted for private MRI centres paying high scanning costs or often avoided MRI scanning due to lack of funds.

D Ragavan, executive vice president, Siemens Medical Solutions division, said, "It gives us immense pleasure to install Siemens' first Magnetom Essenza at Aatmajyoti MRI Centre, run by Chhayando, the trust that has been doing exceptional philanthropic work. Essenza is our latest product incorporating Tim technology and with its enormous patient friendly features, will delight both the doctors and the patients. Within a short time of introduction in the country, over a dozen customers have chosen Essenza, making it one of the most successful launches for Siemens".

Speaking to the media about the installation, Bharat Shah of Chhayando said, "Chhayando is committed to provide healthcare services to all sections of society, especially the lesser privileged. We believe that lack of funds should not be a hurdle for people to avail hi-end medical facility. Not only are we offering much lower rates for MRI scans but the centre will also perform free scans as per the MoU with the Government of Gujarat, for those patients referred by the New Civil Hospital".