City's government hospital gets state cancer institute tag

AURANGABAD: City's Government Cancer Hospital (GCH) has been accorded with the status of State Cancer Institute (SCI), the hospital said in a statement released on Saturday.
According to the government resolution to set up SCI in Aurangabad at GCH, the Central government would provide financial assistance of Rs 120 crore (60% of the total cost) during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17).The state government has already sanctioned its 40% share which comes to Rs 48 crore. Also, this is the first of its kind state government cancer hospital to bag this project.
"The first government cancer hospital which was set up about three years ago with 100-beds, 10 ICU units, four wards with 25 beds each, eight operation theatres and eight clinical department experts is now elevated to SCI, which will be one of its kind in Maharashtra," said officer on special duty of cancer hospital Arvind Gaikwad.
He added, "The SCI will be the apex institution in the state for cancer-related activities. Financial assistance of Rs 120 crore will help in strengthening the tertiary care cancer facilities at the hospital. With elevation in status it would also be expected to mentor and coordinate the activities of other institutes in the state, dealing with tertiary care for cancer. The SCI would provide outreach services, diagnosis and referral treatments, develop treatment protocols, undertake research, and enhance the capacity of personnel in the State in this field."
Gaikwad said that the project would not only help to provide the latest and most advanced techniques available under one roof to the patients, but would also facilitate to start post graduate (PG) seats in radiotherapy in the Aurangabad Government Medical College.