Sans pathologist, Bathinda cancer institute patients a harried lot

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 11

In the absence of pathologists at Advanced Cancer Institute, treatment process of cancer patients has been caught in a limbo.

With reports lying pending for over a month now, the type of cancer couldn’t be diagnosed, thereby stalling the medical process.

The incharge of ACI’s pathology unit had joined AIIMS, Bathinda, recently, and the new appointee couldn’t join in the wake of curfew imposed in the district.

Earlier, the patients were susceptible to catching coronavirus, as a part of the institute’s building was turned into an isolation centre for Covid patients. Now, the unending wait for medical reports is giving the patients sleepless nights.

Talking to The Tribune, Balkaran Singh, a relative of cancer patient Manjit Kaur, said, “We had given our samples on April 21. Post that, we visited the hospital numerous times to collect the report, but returned disappointed. Every time we visit the hospital, we are told to come after a few days.”

“It’s a tough time for us, as the doctors can’t proceed with the treatment without the medical reports. Manjit, who is suffering from excruciating pain in her throat, has been left feeling helpless for weeks now. The doctors haven’t provided any medicine to her.”

Gurtej Kaur from Talwandi Sabo and Jasvir Singh from Sekhu, both cancer patients, said even if they got the tests done from private labs, the hospital would not accept the test reports. “Where should we go? On one hand, the hospital doesn’t provide us with reports and on the other hand, we are told that if we get the tests done from outside, we won’t be eligible to avail benefits under the Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme.”

Director of the institute Dr Deepak Arora said, “The tenure of the pathologist who was working here had ended recently. A recruitment was made, but due to curfew, he couldn’t join. However, the appointee will join soon.”

Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu could not be contacted despite repeated attempts.