Rs 36.6 cr advanced cancer therapy unit to come up at Kakinada GGH in Andhra Pradesh

Kakinada (Andhra Pradesh), Aug 22 (TNT): Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH) is set to get an advanced cancer therapy unit with the installation of a Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine at a cost of Rs 36.6 crore, hospital authorities said on Saturday.

Disclosing this to media persons at the GGH cancer department here, GGH Superintendent Dr Lavanya Kumari and Oncology Unit Head Dr P Srinivasan said ONGC would provide the required CSR funding for the LINAC machine, following the initiative and efforts of Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.

Proposals have also been sent to ONGC for a CT simulator, HDR brachytherapy machine and dosimetry equipment, besides a mobile cancer screening vehicle to facilitate early detection of cancer, they said.

The proposed facility will come up in a modern building being constructed at the Government ITI campus on a three-acre site at a cost of Rs 7 crore from Red Cross funds. The building is nearing completion and the Atomic Energy Research Board, Pune, has already accorded permission for setting up the radiotherapy bunker.

The LINAC machine will be installed in the same building, transforming the GGH’s existing cancer services into a modern advanced cancer therapy facility, the officials said.

The unit is expected to benefit patients from Kakinada as well as Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema, East Godavari and Anakapalli districts.

At present, Kakinada GGH functions mainly as a cancer referral centre. Its Radiation Oncology Unit has been providing treatment using a Telecobalt machine since 2001.

Dr Srinivasan said around 1,500 cancer cases were reported annually at the hospital before the implementation of the Aarogyasri scheme, while around 800 new cases are currently being registered every year.

Hospital Deputy Superintendent Dr Satyaveni, CS RMO and GGH Administrator Sridhar were also present at the media interaction.

TNT TMR