Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH), attached to K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College in Tiruchi, inaugurated its cancer outpatient department (OPD) on Wednesday.
The 20-bed OPD was inaugurated by Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru in the presence of Mayor M. Anbazhagan, Collector V. Saravanan and K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College dean S. Kumaravel.
In the initial phase, the cancer OPD will function alongside a dedicated day care chemotherapy ward and a palliative care ward, said a press release.
“Earlier, we were referring 300-400 patients from Tiruchi annually to Thanjavur Medical College for medical oncology and radiation therapy. With the launch of our own cancer OPD, we hope to reduce the hardship faced by patients and their attenders in travelling for treatment. The drugs required for treatment have already been procured in sufficient quantity, and we have enough specialists on board to take care of patients locally,” Dr. Kumaravel told The Hindu.
The recently sanctioned PET scan facility, for which preliminary installation steps and site identification are under way, will improve diagnostic accuracy in cancer care through advanced imaging, the dean said. “At present, the incidence of oral, cervical and breast cancer is common in our district. We are stepping up efforts to raise public awareness about prevention and detection of the disease.”
