KOCHI: Shortage of cancer specialists in the state has affected the state government’s plan to establish mini Regional Cancer Centres (mini RCCs) in the Government Medical Colleges in the state. It was during the tenure of previous UDF government that the idea of mini RCCs was conceived and this government went one step ahead by creating posts for the same. However, barring radiation oncologists, there are not sufficient number of cancer specialists to be posted in these centres. Overall less than 75 oncologists function in the government sector in the state, majority of which are radiation oncologists.
Radiation oncologists are almost sufficient in number as the course is run in several medical colleges apart from RCC. However, for surgical oncology and medical oncology, the main two segments, the McH and DM courses respectively are run in RCC only. For rare specialty courses like hematology and pediatric oncology, there are only one and four specialists respectively. Hematologist is not even in RCC while the lone one is at the Malabar Cancer Centre.
“The courses in disciplines other than radiation oncology should be started at main medical colleges after meeting the MCI stipulations. The Cochin Cancer Research Centre also should be developed into a training centre for oncologists. Enough number of nurses also should be trained in the specialties,” said Dr N.K. Sanil Kumar, volunteer of Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer Movement. It is being pointed out that there has to be posts of professor, additional professor and assistant professor in each department of mini RCCs.
