Berhampur, June 29 (UDN): The prolonged delay in making the Cancer Care Unit at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur operational has left thousands of cancer patients from southern Odisha without access to advanced treatment facilities, compelling many to travel to Bhubaneswar and other states for specialised care.
Conceived as a major healthcare initiative for the region, the state-of-the-art Cancer Care Unit was launched in 2022 to cater to the growing number of cancer patients from at least 10 districts of southern Odisha and adjoining areas of neighbouring states. However, despite significant progress in infrastructure development, the facility is yet to become functional.
The four-storey unit has been designed with a capacity of 60 beds, including separate wards for male and female patients as well as dedicated palliative care facilities. A private firm based in Kolkata had been entrusted with the construction work at an estimated cost of Rs 67 crore, with the project initially targeted for completion by September 2024.
Sources said the project has overshot both its deadline and budget, with costs reportedly escalating by more than Rs 10 crore. Even so, the facility remains incomplete, delaying the availability of comprehensive oncology services in the region.
The absence of a full-fledged cancer treatment centre at MKCG has caused considerable hardship to patients, many of whom are forced to undertake expensive and physically exhausting journeys to hospitals in Bhubaneswar or outside Odisha.
“There are no adequate facilities for cancer patients in Berhampur. The required specialists and trained personnel are also not available,” said Pradeep Kumar Patra, a cancer patient.
Another patient, Debanand Dash, said he had to seek treatment outside Berhampur despite being diagnosed with cancer nearly a decade ago due to the lack of specialised facilities at MKCG.
At present, the medical college offers limited radiotherapy services, while chemotherapy and several other advanced oncology services are yet to be introduced. Once operational, the new unit is expected to provide integrated cancer care, including diagnosis, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative treatment under one roof.
Hospital authorities have already submitted a proposal to the state government seeking additional manpower, including senior and junior residents, specialists in radiation and medical oncology, and other supporting staff required for the smooth functioning of the facility.
MKCG Medical College and Hospital Superintendent Prof. Dr. Sudeepa Das said the Cancer Care Unit would become operational after obtaining the necessary clearance from the Roads and Buildings (R&B) Department.
“After receiving clearance from the R&B Department, the facilities will be handed over. An integrated approach involving the oncology and radiotherapy departments will then be adopted for the treatment of cancer patients,” she said.
With patients continuing to wait for the long-promised facility, healthcare activists and residents have urged the government to expedite the remaining formalities and make the centre operational at the earliest.