People with cancer will now be able to access better quality treatment at the Rajiv Gandhi General Government Hospital (GH), which is due for a Rs. 6 crore-fund from the Central and State governments, for a new building and better equipment.
“While the Central government has offered to give us Rs. 4.8 crore, the State government has offered Rs. 1.2 crore,” said S. Shanmugakumar, dean of the radiation oncology department at GH.
A few weeks ago, an inspection was held to determine the sanctioning of funds, and officials inquired about the wards, number of patients as well as about the existing infrastructure.
Once the funds come through, apart for a new building for cancer patients, the hospital will also receive a Linear Accelerator, a device used for radiation treatment.
It will ensure that the disease will be treated with more precision and minimum side effects, hospital officials said. The device costs around Rs. 4.8 crore.
“We treat a total of 170 patients with radiation therapy in a day. With the help of this new machine, we will be able to treat a lot more patients,” said Dr. Shanmugakumar.
He added that the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board had already approved of the layout of the building.
“We hope that the funds will be released by January next year. Our Public Works Department officers can then start work and possibly within the following six months, the building will be ready,” he added.
Hospital dean V. Kanagasabai said they were due to hear about the sanctioning of the funds shortly.
