RMCH to re-launch Cobalt- 60 for cancer treatment

Publish: 12:27 PM, September 10, 2018 | Update: 12:27 PM, September 10, 2018

RAJSHAHI -Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) is going to re-launch its Cobalt- 60 machine for cancer treatment within a shortest possible time.

The machine will be used in providing radiotherapy to cancer patients. The cancer patients have been suffering a lot since the machine became non- functional around four years back. But, fortunately, their problems are going to be solved soon, said the RMCH sources.

More than 6,000 old cancer patients are getting treatment in RMCH at present. There are more 1,500 new patients. When the machine will go into operation the patients will get treatment comparatively at a less cost.

Brig Gen Jamilur Rahman, director of RMCH, said the cobalt machine was purchased at a cost of around Taka 10 crore and its installation work is at the final stage. “I’m hopeful about its functioning very soon,” he asserted while talking to BSS here today.

Then the patients can get radiotherapy services here at a cost of around Taka 6,000 fixed by the government. He opined that cost of radiotherapy in private hospitals is more than Taka 80,000.

Dr Asim Kumar Ghosh, head of department of oncology, said the number of cancer patients is gradually increasing. Doctors and other supportive staff are facing an embarrassing situation to tackle the patients.

There are 30 beds in indoor and 10 others in daycare to provide the treatment. “We are giving chemotherapy treatment to 25 to 30 cancer patients every day at present,” he added.

On successful commissioning of the cobalt machine, sufferings of the patients will be reduced to a greater extent besides curtailing their expenditure.

Dr Ashim said the patients’ sufferings from various types of cancers like lings, breast, cervix, prostate and blood will get radiotherapy treatment through the machine.