KOCHI: The process of opening the Kochi Cancer Centre Outpatient (OP) wing is underway with the Health Department obtaining the services of two oncologists and staff nurses from the Director of Medical Education (DME) and Director of Health Services (DHS) on a working arrangement for the centre.
A total of 31 posts including that of doctors and nursing staff were created for the cancer centre as per a Cabinet decision a few days before the dates of the Assembly elections were declared. Since the election code of conduct came into place immediately after the elections were announced, the new posts could not be advertised and fresh appointments could not be made.
Special officer of the Cancer Centre Dr Asha Thomas has now asked again for oncologists on deputation and if the Health Secretary issues NOCs fast, the rest of the clinical staff will be deployed on deputation from DHS/DME, facilitating an early opening of the OP.
The equipment for the OP facility are ready, it is understood. The ground floor of the building too is ready. After the PWD completes the first and second floors, including their electrification, and hands over the building to the special officer, infrastructural hurdles before its opening will be cleared.
The special officer had a review with DHS, DME and other officials last week on the issue and they will reassess them within a week’s time along with special officer (technical) Dr V. P. Gangadharan, to decide whether everything is in place to open up the facility for out-patients. Both special officers are keen to provide daycare chemotherapy in the beginning itself.
“It is important that the OP patients are given as much patient care as possible within an outpatient facility, including daycare chemotherapy. I do not wish to compromise on the quality of patient care, especially for the poorer cancer patients,” Dr Asha Thomas told DC on Monday.
