JOIN USLack of technicians at Kidwai inconveniences patients
The State-run Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology is all set to receive additional radiotherapy equipment. But this will not do much for patients as the institute is equipped with only a handful of therapists and technicians.
Though the hospital will soon be upgraded to the State Cancer Institute status, for the thousands of people who await their turn and stand in long queues, things will pretty much remain the same.
On any given day, even as the existing staff work three shifts, the waiting period for radiotherapy, one of the most crucial treatment methods, is not less than four weeks, according to senior doctors.
“Reducing the waiting period is one of the most important changes we wish to bring in. It can only be done by recruiting additional staff,” said Dr K N Lingegowda, the newly appointed director of the institute.
Kidwai presently has four radiotherapy devices. Two each of the liner accelerator and cobalt machines.
Four more such devices would be provided to the hospital under the scheme. Funds have been granted by the State and Central governments for the procurement of these devices.
20,000 new cases
The hospital sees as many as 20,000 new cases each year and most of the patients are in advanced stages of cancer. However, apart from radiotherapists and technicians, there is a shortage of even doctors and nurses, sources say.
There were as many as 25 radiotherapy technicians in 2006, whereas, there are only 13 technicians on permanent basis now.
A senior therapist told Deccan Herald that the hospital had 25 radiotherapists, all of whom were appointed on permanent basis. However, only 13 of them have been taken on permanent basis.
“The remaining 12 have been taken on a temporary basis. They are usually trainees and cannot be put on the job as the hazards are plenty,” he said. If this is one aspect of the issue, the other is qualification.
“Mostly those with a higher qualification choose to work in private establishments for attractive pay packages. Those applying for jobs here are the ones who have completed diploma. The new equipment that would be provided are technologically advanced. Only those with expertise can handle them,” the source added.
Radiotherapists and technicians pass the buck on doctors and procedural delays for the waiting list getting longer, even as they deny that the delays are as long as four weeks.
“To begin with, cancer screening itself takes long. The procedure will be easy only if doctors sort patients based on the nature of their illness. If all are asked to be treated under the high energy linear equipment, there is bound to be a long queue,” said one of the therapists.