Bhubaneswar: In a another step on treatment of cancer in southern Odisha, the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital at Sitalapalli in Berhampur has started administration of chemotherapy to patients.
With the launch of this initiative, the patients can now receive advanced cancer treatment locally and need not travel to distant cities reducing both financial and logistical burden on the families.
The introduction of chemotherapy facility locally will not only save time and money, but also provide timely care for effective cancer management, said Deba Prasad Dash, Director of the hospital.
“IMS and SUM Hospital at Sitalapalli is already offering free oncology consultation for the patients at weekly camps held on Saturdays and Sundays. While oncology medicine camp is held on Saturdays, oncology surgery consultation is available on Sundays. These free consultation facility aims to provide patients with expert guidance on treatment options, surgery and chemotherapy plans,” Dash said.
The hospital’s oncology team comprises highly experienced specialists offering personalised care tailored to each patient’s condition and need. With the introduction of chemotherapy, the patients can now access the full spectrum of cancer treatment at one location ensuring comprehensive and coordinated care.
“One of the first beneficiaries of these services is a 25-year-old young man who was diagnosed with stage-3 rectal cancer with the tumour having spread to nearby lymph nodes. The condition called for a combination of treatments including chemotherapy and surgery. Having undergone the first line of chemotherapy, the patient is now receiving the second line treatment regimen comprising a combination of chemotherapy with targeted therapy,” he said.
“We are committed to provide advanced cancer care to the needy in Berhampur and its neighbouring areas. The introduction of chemotherapy service combined with our ongoing free oncology consultation camps every week ensures that patients receive high quality and timely attention close to their home,” he added.