AIIMS Deoghar to launch radiotherapy for cancer patients by September end

Dumka: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Deoghar is all set to start radiotherapy treatment for cancer patients from September end as it awaits licence from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in Mumbai.“The service will benefit cancer patients from the tribal dominated Santhal Pargana division, other parts of Jharkhand, and the neighbouring states of West Bengal and Bihar,” Dr Saurabh Varshney, executive director of the institute, told TOI. At present, the hospital provides chemotherapy treatment to patients. Radiotherapy treatment will clear the decks for conducting surgical procedures.“The process of obtaining a licence for radiotherapy treatment from AERB Mumbai is in its final stages,” he said. Following the license, the institute will be able to commission a state-of-the-art linear accelerator (Linac) machine for safe, precise and painless treatment, Varshney further said.Radiotherapy is widely used for treating cancers at both early and advanced stages. The service will benefit patients suffering from cancers related to the brain, head and neck, breast, lungs, uterus, blood, skin, and bones.Besides new technology, the AIIMS management will ban the entry of private vehicles on campus. Instead, patients and their attendants will be provided battery-operated vehicles from the main gate for commute. Patients and attendants will also have to obtain tokens following their registration through designated apps.