KOCHI: Cancer patients are set to get advanced radiation treatment at the Ernakulam General Hospital as the Linear Accelerator becomes functional from Thursday.Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the new super speciality block, cancer block and 11 KV substation along with the operational launch of the linear accelerator at 5 pm on Thursday.
The procedures to install the linear accelerator was initiated by CPM district secretary P Rajeev during his tenure as an MP. Along with other Rajay Sabha MPs during his tenure, including C P Narayanan, B Jayashree, Mrunal Miri, H K Dua, Ashok Ganguly, K T S Tulsi and K Parasaran, Rajeev had contributed towards the cause.
Cochin Shipyard, BPCL, Synthite Group, Canara Bank and Rotary Club also joined hands with them to install the accelerator at an estimated cost of Rs 13.7 crore.This is the first time such an advanced equipment is being installed at a government hospital other than a medical college to provide radiation treatment for cancer patients. The Ernakulam General Hospital already has a Cobalt Unit.
The Linear Accelerator will help give radiation treatment more effectively than the Cobalt Unit, that too with lesser side effects. The new machine will also help in giving treatment to nearly 50 patients every day.The General Hospital has also received recognition from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH). This is the third time the hospital is winning the NABH recognition.
Hospital Superintendent Dr Anitha and Expert Committee member Dr Junaid Rehman said the recognition is an accolade for maintaining a healthy environment and for dedicated efforts put forth by the staff to give utmost care to patients.
The construction of the super speciality block will be implemented by Inkel and is expected to be completed in 560 days.The building will consist of a super speciality block measuring 70,000 sq metres and a cancer block of 2011 sq metres.
The eight-storeyed super speciality block can accommodate 187 patients at a time. There will be a total of six operation theatres, cath lab, ICUs, wards and an endoscopy unit. The five-storeyed Cancer Block can accommodate 100 patients.Health Minister K K Shylaja will preside over the function which will be attended by Hibi Eden MLA, District Collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla and P Rajeev.