Linear accelerator machine for cancer patients in Ambala soon

Nitish Sharma
Tribune News Service
Ambala, April 20

A linear accelerator machine, which will be used to treat cancer patients, is all set to reach the Tertiary Care Cancer Centre, which is being established on the premises of Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment. The machine which has been imported from the UK has reached India recently, the process for customs clearance is on. The machine is being brought at a cost of over Rs 18 crore.

Dr Vikas Gupta, a cancer specialist at the Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantonment, said, “The linear accelerator machine is used to provide radiotherapy to cancer patients and it will prove beneficial for the patents of this region. Currently, patients go to Chandigarh for treatment. The machine has reached India and the process for customs clearance is on. It is a very high-end machine and it will be the first such machine at a government hospital in Haryana.”

Abhay Kumar, project manager for the Tertiary Care Cancer Center, said, “The building for the cancer centre is ready. A specially designed bunker has been constructed for the linear accelerator machine as per the guidelines from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. The thickness of the walls of the bunker is from 1.5 metre to 2.2 metre. A CT stimulator machine has been already installed. “

Dr Vinay Goel, nodal officer for construction of Tertiary Care Cancer Centre, said, “There are different modalities to treat cancer, including chemotherapy, surgery and radiotherapy. The linear accelerator machine will provide radiotherapy to cancer patients. The machine is expected to reach Ambala by the end of this month and we are in touch with the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board as it requires the permission of the board on various steps and its commissioning.The accuracy of the machine is very high. Fire NOC for the building has also been received today.”

An official said, “Patients not only from Haryana but from UP, Himachal, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand are expected to reach Ambala for treatment and there will be requirement for residential facilities too in the coming years as the patients and their attendants need to stay for several days for radiotherapy treatment.

State Home and Health Minister Anil Vij, who had laid the foundation stone of the Tertiary Care Cancer Centre in July 2018, said, “All latest facilities are being brought here for the treatment of cancer patients. All efforts are being made to make the centre functional soon.”

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