New Civil Hospital (NCH) in Surat has started providing electroencephalography (EEG) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests free of cost, giving patients access to neurological diagnostics within the city without having to travel elsewhere for testing.
The EEG service is now operational at the public hospital and is intended to support the diagnosis of disorders affecting the brain and nervous system. According to a hospital official, an EEG test can cost up to Rs 5,000 at private hospitals, while an NCV test can cost up to Rs 4,000.
An EEG records the brain’s electrical activity through electrodes placed on a patient’s scalp. Doctors use the test to assess conditions including seizures, episodes of unconsciousness, sleep-related disorders and serious brain injuries. Making the test available at NCH is expected to reduce the immediate financial burden on patients who require neurological evaluation.
The hospital will also conduct NCV tests, which measure the speed and efficiency of electrical signals travelling through nerves. The test can help doctors identify nerve-related conditions such as neuropathy, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and carpal tunnel syndrome. It can also assist in determining the type and extent of nerve damage.
The new diagnostic facility strengthens the range of specialised services available at NCH, which serves patients who may otherwise face higher private-sector costs or the need to travel outside Surat for testing. For patients referred for these investigations, access to free testing at a public hospital can support earlier clinical assessment while reducing out-of-pocket expenditure.
The hospital has not announced a separate public schedule or eligibility process for the services in the information available. The EEG and NCV facilities are currently operational at New Civil Hospital, Surat.
