New radiation machine capable of 20-hour operation installed

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

A new state-of-the-art LINAC accelerator radiation therapy machine has been installed at the Government Cancer Hospital (state cancer institute). The machine can operate continuously for 20 hours. Construction of a modern bunker for the machine is progressing at a fast pace. Once operational, the LINAC accelerator will be able to provide radiation therapy to around 150 patients daily, eliminating waiting time for treatment.

The old LINAC accelerator at the hospital has completed 13 years of service and has reached the end of its operational life. Currently, radiation therapy is being provided with the help of a truebeam linear accelerator and a bhabhatron machine. The addition of the new LINAC accelerator will further strengthen radiation services at the hospital.

A fund of Rs 30 crore has been approved for the new LINAC accelerator and the bunker. The machine has already arrived at the hospital, and bunker construction is in progress. After commissioning, patient care services at the hospital are expected to improve significantly. Maharashtra state cancer care project advisor Dr Kailas Sharma, dean Dr Shivaji Sukre and special executive officer of the government cancer hospital Dr Arvind Gaikwad have been actively involved in efforts to enhance these facilities.

Current daily radiation patients:

Truebeam linear accelerator: 90 patients

Bhabhatron machine: 30 patients

Operational in three to four months:

The third radiation machine, the LINAC accelerator, has been installed for the government cancer hospital. Bunker construction is underway, and the machine is expected to become operational within three to four months. It can run continuously for 20 hours and treat 150 patients daily.

— Dr Balaji Shewalkar, head, department of radiation oncology, government cancer hospital

Boost to patient care:

The old LINAC accelerator has been removed after completing its lifespan. The new advanced LINAC accelerator will soon be commissioned, helping to expand patient care services.

— Dr Kailas Sharma, advisor, cancer care project, Maharashtra state

Photo caption:

Bunker construction work for the new radiation machine in progress at the government cancer hospital.