'Brachy therapy' to be commissioned

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 10. Brachy therapy, a new radio therapy system, set up at the Regional Cancer Centre here, will be commissioned by the Union Health Minister, Mr. C. P. Thakur, on July 12.

The RCC had developed the equipment meant for treatment of uterine cancer in an inexpensive way. The system, developed within three years at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs, had the assistance of the Union Science and Technology Department and the Bangalore- based Pansia Medical Technology. Importing the machine would cost, at present, over Rs. 1 crore.

As many as 500 patients can be treated at the unit. It is estimated that at least 500 such units is needed in the country to treat patients with uterine cervix cancer. At present, only 100 such units are available for patients in the whole country. The high cost involved in the import of these machines is the main hurdle against making this available at more places in the country, according to an official release here.

The Chief Minister, Mr. E. K. Nayanar, will preside over the function to be held at the RCC. The Speaker, Mr. M. Vijayakumar, the Health Minister, Mr. V. C. Kabeer, the Mayor, Mr. V. Sivankutty, Mr. V. S. Sivakumar, MP, the Secretary, Union Science and Technology Department, Prof. V. S. Ramamurthy, the RCC Director, Dr. M. Krishnan Nair, the Health Secretary, Mr. V. Vijayachandran, and the Brachy Therapy Project Chief, Mr. Thayal Singh Elias will attend.

RCC OP

The OP wing of the Regional Cancer Centre will not function after 1 p.m. on July 12. This is because of the function to be held in connection with the commissioning of the radio therapy machine. Letters giving fresh appointment have been sent to those who had been given appointments earlier. Doctors and hospitals referring patients have been asked to take this into consideration.

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Section  : Southern States
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