COST OF PELVIC SCAN IN GHANA
What is a pelvic scan?
Generally, a pelvic ultrasound scan is a diagnostic examination that provides images of the organs and structures within the feminine pelvis for analyses
, diagnoses, and treatment, carried out by technicians called sonographers. The procedure is typically carried out on a female patient, either transvaginally or transabdominally to allow visualization of the female pelvic organs and structures including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. In most cases, the scan is used to figure out problems with the reproductive organs or to monitor the fetus of a pregnant woman to look for abnormalities. These scans are mostly painless and take about 30 to 40 minutes to be completed. A pelvic ultrasound has no known risks. simple and requires that the patient drink a lot of water without emptying the bladder until the scan is done because a full bladder improves the visibility of your organs and the accuracy of the test. When done on a male patient, it is carried out transrectally to look at the prostate or rectum.
Where can I get a pelvic scan done?
At a Diagnostic Centre! Diagnostic centers provide medical diagnostic services such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, X-ray, mammography, ultrasound scans, and bone densitometry services. It is advised to carry out pelvic scans in established radio diagnostic centers close to you or one referred by your health care provider.
There are over ten diagnostic centers in Accra alone and many more in every region in Ghana. Pelvic scans may be a little uncomfortable but do not induce pain, they are fast, easy, and affordable.
How much does a pelvic scan cost?
Although affordable, the cost of a scan may have heavy variation in prices as a result of certain factors including the hospital or center, region, and location. A pelvic ultrasound is barely covered by the National Health Insurance Scheme in Ghana so out-of-pocket costs of scans are typically between GHS 60-$150 or more in some private centers. The prices of various scans can be considered below:
Pelvic USG scan: GHS 60.00
Abdominal USG scan: GHS 50.00
Abdomino-pelvic USG scan: GHS 60.00
Additional costs and Discounts
In a few cases, a tissue sample is taken for biopsy during a transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound and this could increase the overall cost depending on the biopsy and the number of samples taken. For patients looking to pay less, it would be advisable to search for centers that are not situated in affluent locations. The same services may be provided at a lower cost in such an instance. Communication with the doctor may also afford a patient some discounts.
