Faridkot, May 11

Under attack for converting Advanced Cancer Institute (ACI), Bathinda, into a Covid care centre, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences (BFUHS) has claimed the hospital was providing all healthcare facilities to cancer patients, besides rendering services to Covid patients. Cancer Institute is a constitute health centre of the university.

“ACI continues to provide services to cancer patients as earlier. As many as 315 new patients came to the OPD in January this year, 432 in February, 478 in March and 408 in April. At least 30 cancer patients visited the hospital between May 1 and May 8,” said Dr Raj Bahadur, Vice Chancellor, BFUHS.

He said 1,839 old patients came to the OPD in January, 2,213 in February, 2,239 in March and 2,231 in April. Over 400 patients from May 1 to May 8 have visited the institute. In these hours of crisis, the doctors are giving their best available services to cancer patients as well as Covid patients. They should not be discouraged with any criticism, said the VC.

There were 6,450 active cases in Bathinda district alone as daily positivity rate stands at 23.4 per cent. The situation demands further increase in the level-2 and level-3 beds. Despite our best efforts, we only have been able to arrange 70-75 level-2 beds in newly constructed AIIMS, Bathinda, which will be available soon, said the VC. — TNS