THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A ‘Home away from home’ facility for the young cancer patients, establishment of District Cancer Control Centres and improved infrastructure are among the future projects planned at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) here, Health Minister Adoor Prakash said on Monday.The State Government has included elevation of the RCC as a National Cancer Institute under the 12th Plan proposals. If this is approved, facilities such as a ‘Home away from home’ for young patients, dormitories for poor bystanders, better palliative care and rehabilitation facilities can be set up at the RCC, the Minister told the Assembly.The ‘Home away from home’ facility will come up on the hospital campus, Adoor Prakash said. Over the years, the number of patients seeking treatment at the RCC has shot up. Last year, 1.75 lakh patients, including 13,000 new patients and patients seeking follow-up treatment, arrived at the RCC.This has prompted the RCC to think of opening District Cancer Control Centres, the Minister said. “They will make cancer awareness, diagnosis, follow-up treatment, palliative care and treatment in the early stages easier,” he said. The centres would also help research and academic pursuits at the RCC, he said.RCC was established in 1981. Today it offers free treatment to countless patients. Last fiscal year alone, free treatment to the tune of Rs 11 crore was provided at the RCC. The hospital has also launched ‘Akshaya Pathram,’ a scheme offering free food to over 250 poor patients.
Comments
0 comment