Centre chips in to upgrade cancer treatment at MKCG

Source: MKCG.in

BERHAMPUR: The radiotherapy department of MKCG Medical College and Hospital here will soon procure modern equipment to upgrade its cancer treatment facilities. The Centre has sanctioned Rs 4.23 crore for the purpose. A central government team had recently visited the medical college to inspect the infrastructure facilities.

The medical college plans to procure instruments for brachytherapy, also known as internal radiotherapy, which helps to locate the exact position of a tumour in the body and facilitate treatment. "We are still not sure whether the Centre will sanction us the equipment or provide funds for the purpose," said MKCG principal Arun Kumar Dandapat. The instruments will come handy while treating cancer patients and for administering radiotherapy to internal parts, he said, adding that the facility is currently available at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

The hospital receives nearly 1,200 new cancer patients every year, with 70 to 90 of them being administered external radiotherapy daily. "Once the hospital procure the modern instruments, patients no longer have to rush to Cuttack or other private hospitals in and outside the state for internal radiotherapy," Dandapat said. The medical college has adequate infrastructure to install and handle the machines. It has a separate building for the department, which has been approved by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The technicians will be trained to handle the equipment after it reaches the college, the principal said. The medical college authorities are also planning to increase the number of beds in the department from 20 to 30 once the instruments are installed, he added.

Source: Times of India & www.MKCG.in