Radio therapy equipment block inaugurated

PUDUCHERRY: A modern radio therapy equipment block was inaugurated by PK Pradhan,  secretary health, Central government, at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), JIPMER, recently. According to an official press release from JIPMER, on Tuesday, the Central government under  phase II of the RCC project sanctioned funds for the procurement of radiotherapy equipment at `24 crore.  The equipment list includes a high energy linear accelerator with intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT )and image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT), electron therapy and rapid arc feasibility, CT simulator, treatment planning system, HDR brachytherapy equipment,  500 MA X-ray unit and mobile X-ray as well as  medical furniture, lab equipment, civil construction and electrical works.With the commissioning of these high tech equipment, the institute can undertake sophisticated technique for treatment of cancers of different sites with precision and very little side effects to normal tissues and organs. This facility which is available in private hospital at a very high cost would now be available free of charge to the needy patients.This project was proposed to make the RCC into a comprehensive one and on par with other RCCs like AIIMS. This would be done  increasing beds, ICUs, equipmentin phase I, II and III. Under phase I, a separate block for RCC with a capacity for 82 inpatient beds (including 20 special ward beds), outpatient facilities, day care centre has been constructed at a cost of `12.874 crore and was inaugurated on Jan 23, 2008.