KIMS to offer better cancer treatment with upgraded radiotherapy machine

By: Akshay Doddamani
HUBBALLI: The Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences’ (KIMS) radiation department is the first institution in the north Karnataka region to upgrade its linear accelerator into a high-tech intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) machine to treat cancer patients.
The upgrade, at a cost of Rs 3 crore, will allow KIMS to treat 50 cancer patients daily.
It works better than 2D, 3D, and other therapy machines. It helps in the treatment of head, brain and other cancers.
The advanced machine could be a boon for poor cancer patients in the region who are dependent on KIMS Hubballi.
As the number of patients has increased in the hospital, there was a demand to upgrade the old into advanced equipment.
The IMRT equipment treatment is completely digital.
From March 24 till now, 120 cancer patients have been treated with the new machine.
The cost of treatment using such machines in the private sector could come up to Rs 1.5-2 lakh per package, but in KIMS, Hubballi, the treatment is free with accommodation and food for a poor patient under government schemes, head of radiation oncology M R Giriyappagoudar said.
“Earlier, we had an old machine to treat cancer patients. Now it has been upgraded with modern advanced technology. KIMS is the only institution which serves the people in north Karnataka by providing many healthcare facilities. Patients should make use of this facility,” he said.
KIMS director Dr Ramlingappa Antartani said: “Our doctors, staff and therapists are providing good treatment for cancer patients. Under several schemes, free treatment is being given.”