NRS Medical College & Hospital turns new page for cancer treatment in Bengal
Kolkata: Patients suffering from cancer and requiring radiation would now be able to avail world class health service completely free of cost at the NRS Medical College and Hospital in the city, following the installation of two 'Linear Accelerators', which are the most advanced machines for radiation therapy, at a cost of Rs 25 crore each.
The patients, who would earlier have to pay at least Rs 10 lakh in private health establishments in the country to avail the treatment, would no longer have to pay a single penny for getting the service, as the machines, which are the most modern and costly pieces of equipment at the hospital, have already started functioning.
The 'True Beam' model of the linear accelerators has been made operational at NRS Medical College and Hospital from Friday, which would cater to thousands of cancer patients from across the state and from outside as well. Earlier, the patients had to go to private hospitals in Mumbai or some other state for availing the services.
This has become possible due to the relentless efforts of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to provide the state with world class infrastructure in the health sector. Major reforms were undertaken by the Bengal government in this sector, so that people get treatment free of cost in all the state-run hospitals. The modern linear accelerator machines add a new feather to the crown.
The sophisticated new radiation machines were installed in the Radiotherapy department of the hospital, with an aim to provide top class health services to the patients. It was not always possible for the patients to bear the huge cost of undergoing radiation therapy at private establishments outside the state.
According to a senior official of the hospital, radiation was earlier provided by one Telecobalt Theratron machine, which is far behind modern day machines in terms of their functioning. In case of the Telecobalt Theratron machine, the unaffected cells of the body used to be affected during radiation therapy. But the new machine targets only the cells which are affected.
Apart from the installation of the two new machines, the entire two-floor Radiology department has been upgraded with high level facilities.
The two new machines were installed in the hospital a few months ago, but could not be operated as a cap of the machines were broken and data was removed. A section of the hospital officials called it an incident of sabotage. On the basis of the specific complaint lodged by the Radio Safety Officer, the health department has initiated a probe in this regard.
When contacted, Dr Dwaipayan Biswas, Deputy Superintendent of NRS Medical College and Hospital, said: "It's a major boost to the health infrastructure in the state. Thousands of patients suffering from cancer can now get free treatment at the hospital."
