Kathmandu, July 12

The Diagnostic Imaging and Research Center (DIRC) is to formally launch MRI Service Centre at its facility in from July 16, 2008.

The MRI Centre is the only 24x7 radiological imaging facility, geared to serve emergency needs of various hospitals in Kathmandu. Currently, the Center is capable of performing a range of MRI and ultrasound scans for the first time in Kathmandu - MRCP (Cholangiopancreatography), diffusion weighted, cerebral angiography, and venography.

The Centre, according to the company, is equipped with GE’s (General Electrical) High Definition Sigma Profile open MRI and Logic 400 USG ultrasound machines.

Highlighting the broader vision of DIRC, the company’s chairperson Dr. Kiran Manandhar Saturday said, "We are dedicated to providing a highly reliable, affordable and high quality diagnostic imaging service in Nepal and within three years DIRC will become a full-range, multi-model diagnostic facility that matches international standards."

Commenting on DIRC’s commitment to promoting evidence-based medical practice in Nepal, Dr. Manandhar said, "We will not limit ourselves to providing a reliable radiological practice, what we really want to do is promote evidence-based medical practice in Nepal as a whole. For that, this center will continue to focus, to the extent it can, on the promotion, education and research of radiological imaging techniques in medical practice."