Pediatric Cancer Hospital to Come up at MY Campus

A 100-bed hospital is set to come up on MY Hospital campus exclusively for pediatric cancer patients. According to MGM medical college officials, it was recently noticed that most minor patients suffering from cancer go undiagnosed due to unavailability of proper services in the hospital. The children are admitted to Chacha Nehru hospital but have to go to cancer hospital for medical services. The doctors at Chacha Nehru hospital do basic diagnosis and sent them to cancer center, where they are prescribed chemotherapy and they are retuned to pediatric department for administering the therapy. According to MGM medical college dean Dr Jyoti Bindal, around 93 children were admitted to Chacha Nehru hospital, who were suffering from cancer including blood cancer, tumor, Hodgkins Lymphoma, Retinoblastoma, Osteosarcoma, Glioma and Hepatoblastoma. Of 93 patients, hardly 50 percent of patients underwent complete treatment while there are more than 100 such patients who suffer from cancer but are unable to get diagnosed.

Dr Bindal said the hospital will be constructed behind Chacha Nehru hospital which will have 100 beds. The project will be worth Rs 60 crore of which national health mission has decided to provide financial support of Rs 25 crore. Pediatric hematologist from New York Dr Prakash Satwani will lead the project along with NHM director Nishant Warwade. According to doctors, two NGOs have been roped for the project that will help patients get diagnosed and reach hospital for treatment. Doctors claimed that many times even after a patient is diagnosed, they do not come regularly for chemotherapy. NGO volunteers will follow up with the patients to ensure that they complete the treatment procedure. The proposal for the hospital is being made by Dr Prakash Satwani, which is in the process. “The proposal is being made. We had a meeting with principal secretary who have permitted the hospital project. It will be ready within a week after which the budget will be sanctioned and the project will be started, said Dr Satwani. – TOI