Una hospital cancer unit still a Covid ward, patients suffer

RAJESH SHARMA

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UNA, JULY 21

The cancer and palliative care ward at the Una District Hospital, which was created at a cost of Rs 2 lakh two years ago, is being used as an isolation ward for Covid patients, while cancer patients have not been treated for the past one-and-a-half years.

About three years ago, the Health Department had approved a cancer care ward at the hospital. About 250 patients got themselves registered. As there was no separate ward at the hospital, Dr Pushpinder Rana continued to work in his room.

Two years ago, a portion of the surgical ward on the second floor was furnished with five beds to be used as the cancer and palliative care unit. After Covid breakout, the ward was dedicated to the treatment of virus patients.

According to Dr Rana, about 250 cancer patients are registered at his clinic. However, cancer care has suffered due to the pandemic.

Medical Superintendent Dr Nirdosh Kumar says that the Health Department is preparing to tackle the third wave of Covid and, therefore, other issues are low on its priority list. He, however, admits that a room can be designated as the cancer care ward so that the facilities being offered to patients can continue. There were only two staff nurses in the hospital, who were trained to administer intravenous chemotherapy, but both of them had been shifted to primary health institutions.

Chief Medical Officer Dr Raman Kumar Sharma says that more nurses can be trained for administering chemotherapy. He reiterates that a room at the hospital will soon be designated as the cancer care unit.