The Hindu : New Delhi News : Safdarjung radiotherapy unit starts functioning

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Friday, Jul 28, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Safdarjung radiotherapy unit starts functioning

Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Will reduce eight-month waiting period

NEW DELHI: Having remained closed for over a year, the radiotherapy unit of Safdarjung Hospital on Wednesday got the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board's permission to re-open.

For cancer patients awaiting radiotherapy, the decision will reduce the approximately eight-month waiting period list at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), the only functioning government radiotherapy unit in the Capital.

As per the order of the Board, Safdarjung Hospital will be able to operate its two telecobalt radiation machines. The unit has also taken in trained staff for this department, which was one of the criteria on the basis of which the AERB had cautioned and ordered closure of the unit in the hospital.

The AERB had questioned the use of old radiation machines and the shortage of trained staff at the unit and had warned in September 2003 that if conditions did not improve the unit would be closed.

With the closure of the unit some time later and with JP Hospital in the Capital too not treating cancer patients, AIIMS had to take on the additional patient load.

Radiotherapy at a government establishment costs a patient Rs. 750 upward while the same treatment at private hospitals costs Rs. 15,000 onwards. Safdarjung has a patient load of 150 people coming in every month for radiotherapy.

"With the unit in Lok Nayak JP Hospital and Safdarjung not functioning, patients coming in for cancer treatment in Delhi had to face a lot of problems as they had to return without treatment, with government hospitals keeping them on long waiting lists. The absences of trained manpower added to the problem ," said a government official.

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