Cancer patients find hope in social outlook

BANGALORE: Concessional treatment, discounted drugs, dharmashala for long-stay patients, treatment by experienced oncologists... Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology continues to reach out to poor cancer patients from across the state. The institute annually treats around 2.34 lakh follow-up patients and 16,000 new cases.
It takes anywhere from a few months to years for cancer to be treated. During this time, patients suffer pain due to chemotherapy, radiation and their side-effects. With huge number of patients, the waiting period is also long. Kidwai has a dharmashala -- Vishranthi Dhama -- that accommodates up to 400 patients with attendants at a time. By paying Rs 100 a week, a patient and one attendant can stay on. They are provided free food and blankets.
Kidwai's Kapur Block houses many long-stay paediatric patients in posh dormitories. "My three-year-old child suffers from blood cancer. For the past eight months, I am staying here at Kapur Block. The ambience is clean and we feel at home, Also, it is affordable; Rs 30 per day, inclusive of accommodation and food for patients."
Dr Appaji, with more than three decades of experience, heads the paediatric oncology department here. "Chances of survival of paediatric cancer patients have been above 90% here" he says.
DRUGS FOR FREE
The Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation provides 30% discount on all medicines. Based on recommendations of the institute's Chemotherapy Committee, medicines worth Rs 3 lakh are given to poor patients every month.
PALLIATIVE CARE
Four months ago, a palliative care centre was started for treating patients in advanced stages whose of chances of survival are low.
NO DIRECTOR!
Kidwai, a centre of excellence for cancer care, is functioning without an institutional head for almost five years. Every six months or so, there is a new in-charge director; there have been five of them since 2005.
According to officials, six oncologists are in contention for the post. This has lead to lack of coordination among various departments and staff, affecting overall administration.