Zulekha Yenepoya Institute of Oncology to treat cancer patients will formally start offering its services from the Yenepoya University campus in Deralakatte, near Mangaluru, on June 11.
Built with a one-time grant-in-aid by the Tata Trust, the institute, which is spread over 36,000 sq. ft, offers comprehensive treatment to cancer patients with the help of advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, said M. Vijayakumar, Vice-Chancellor of Yeneopoya Deemed to be University and cancer surgeon, on June 9.
Dr. Vijayakumar said the institute has two radiotherapy bunkers and one brachytherapy bunker. A TrueBeam radiotherapy machine, which helps in targeted and precise approach to cancer, and brachytherapy machine have been installed. In the nuclear medicine facility, the hospital has a PET CT scanner, which helps in better cancer imaging of the whole body and also in radio isotope therapy. The hospital has a 10-bed day care facility for administration of chemotherapy.
Dr. Vijayakumar said the Cancer Care Centre of Yenepoya Medical College Hospital has been taking care of patients since 2016. The centre has been providing cancer treatment at an affordable cost for Ayushman Bharat Arogya Karnataka card-holders and others. There was need for advanced treatment and diagnostic facilities, which have been provided by the the Tata Trust through the new institute.
“We will continue to discharge our responsibility in providing affordable cancer treatment to people,” he said.
The new institute started functioning in May. Apart from Dakshina Kannada and 13 other districts of Karnataka, patients are coming from Kerala for cancer treatment. The hospital is in talks with the Kerala Government for inclusion of the hospital in the list of empanelled hospitals where residents of Kerala can use their health card for cashless cancer treatment.
Health Minister K. Sudhakar will formally inaugurate the new institute in the presence of Chief Executive Officer of Tata Trust, N. Srinath.
