24-hour in-patient wing at Cochin Cancer Centre soon

Kochi: The Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC), currently functioning with an outpatient (OP) wing, will soon have a round-the clock full-fledged in-patient facility, Collector K. Muhammed Y. Safirulla said on Friday.

“The IP facility will have 20 beds. We’ve entrusted Inkel to set up other basic facilities on a war-footing. Also, the Operation Room and the ICU of the CCRC functioning at the Kalamassery Medical College as a temporary arrangement, will be made a fully-functional and permanent facility,” a Special Officer of the CCRC said.

The development will help the centre to facilitate better treatment in cases of breast cancer, gynecologic cancer, that affects the neck and the head among others.

“We’ve taken steps to appoint Medical Oncologist, Hematologist and Specialised Surgical Oncologist in addition to the existing panel of doctors. Besides, appointments will also be done to posts of Specialised anesthesiologist, Cancer Specialised Pathologist, Bio Chemist, Operation Room technicians, Nurses, Nursing Assistants and Dieticians,” the official said.

Facilities such as Mammogram, ultrasound and Laboratory with tumor marker analysis will also be made fully functional. Speech and swallowing and lymphoma clinics will be set up and necessary specialists appointments, the official said.

The executive committee of CCRC which met recently sanctioned Rs 17 lakh for setting up the IP wing and it is understood that the request for another Rs 20 lakh to purchase articles for the same is pending. INKEL which is undertaking the work on the own building of CCRC is also doing the IP wing work.