Cancer treatment launched at Ramnad med college hospital

Madurai: Cancer treatment and chemotherapy are now available at Ramanathapuram Govt Medical College Hospital, bringing much relief to patients in the district who were forced to go to Madurai or Chennai for the purpose so far. Besides reducing long-distance travel, the facility will ease financial burden on patients and their families.Dr Amutha Rani, Dean of Ramanathapuram MCH, said cancer can now be identified and treated at the hospital itself. The govt has established the necessary infrastructure and appointed four specialised doctors for cancer treatment at the hospital. Treatment, including chemotherapy, is being provided free of cost at the hospital. Work is underway to further upgrade facilities, with a radiation therapy building under construction that is expected to become operational in a year, she said.She emphasised the importance of early detection, and that people above the age of 40 should undergo regular screening, including full-body screening where advised. "Many patients reach hospitals only in the third or fourth stage, which makes treatment more difficult," she said.