New Delhi (NVI): Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan yesterday inaugurated the high-end Linear Accelerator (LINAC) service at the National Cancer Institute (NCI), AIIMS, New Delhi (Jhajjar Campus).
To operationalize Linear Accelerator Services, two high end LINAC machines have been procured at the cost of approx Rs 50 crore and installed at NCI.
These high-end LINACs will help deliver precise high-energy x-rays or electrons to the region of the patient’s tumor such that cancer cells are destroyed while largely sparing the surrounding normal tissue, an official statement said.
On this occasion, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the commissioning of LINAC services completes the spectrum of treatment being provided for cancer patients at NCI as patients can be able to avail surgical, chemotherapy and radiation therapy services under one roof in an integrated manner.
The Health Minister also inaugurated the AMRIT Pharmacy and auditorium.
He said the AMRIT Pharmacy commissioned will go a long way in providing all required medicines at subsidised rates to the poor patients. Besides, the auditorium which was also commissioned will prove to be useful for professional interactions and large conferences at the Institute.
The Minister also visited the operational wards and interacted with the patients.
He informed that Infosys Foundation, as a part of its CSR, is constructing an 800 bedded Vishram Sadan at NIC, Jhajjar for the attendants of cancer patients.
For this, AIIMS is providing land, electricity and water supply while the entire construction cost of around Rs 80 cr is being borne by the Foundation.
The Vishram Sadan will be close to the hospital and OPD blocks and will have nine floors including ground floor. It will have both dormitory and private rooms. The ground floor will house common dining facility, pharmacy and other utility shops.
The NCI, Jhajjar Campus is the flagship project of the government. It has been constructed with an approved cost of Rs 2,035 crore. NCI is the largest investment by the Government in a single hospital project. It is planned as the apex centre for transitional research in cancer care and prevention and has 710 patient care beds, 25 operation theaters, state-of-the art diagnostics, advanced radiation treatment, 1500 dwelling units and 2,705 faculty and staff.
