Bhubaneswar: In a bid to provide low-cost treatment to cancer patients, the Odisha government has decided to set up a radiotherapy unit each in 11 districts of the state by 2026.
With the setting up of the radiotherapy centres, the patients no longer have to travel outside the state for treatment. Besides, these units will take the load off Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre in Cuttack.
The radiotherapy units will be set up at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur, Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput, Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and the district headquarters hospital in Keonjhar and Bargarh districts in the first phase and the district headquarters hospital in Balasore, Balangir, Angul, Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi (Bhawanipatna) districts in subsequent phases.
The state government has also decided to set up a 50-bedded hospital in these districts under the state cancer care programme, where a radiotherapy unit will be installed at a cost of Rs 15 crore each.
A special bunker will be constructed for installing the radiotherapy machine.
The Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre will also be expanded, said a senior official of the Health Department.
