Plan for cancer unit

Plan for cancer unit

A LEADING hospital group in India plans to set up an oncology unit in Fiji to help save costs in the treatment of cancer patients overseas.

Sahyadri Hospitals says it was looking for an investment of around $US10 million ($F18.8m) in the near future to establish the oncology unit in Fiji.

"This will help cancer patients in Fiji and the region for full treatment like radiation, petscan, chemotherapy and other things," said the hospital group's project co-ordinator Professor Manu Munibhargav.

"The machinery for an oncology unit is very expensive. We have the expertise in designing the machinery layout and other things.

"It's a big amount but the cost of treatment will be the main issue, which is affordability. However, we are working on cost analysis so as to make it affordable to the general public in Fiji and the region.

"The cost to treat cancer in Western countries is too high so we are working in par with what it costs in India or even a little more."

Prof Munibhargav said during clinics conducted by the hospital's team around Fiji in August, they found about 400 cancer patients in Fiji needed treatment.

He said the patients they identified for treatment were suffering from different types of cancer.

"The Fijian Government is sending emergency cancer cases for treatment in India. It will save huge foreign exchange offshore by setting up a special oncology unit in Fiji," he said.

The ministry said while it had not confirmed details on the oncology unit, Sahyadri had indicated interest.

Health Ministry permanent secretary Dr Eloni Tora said: "We can only confirm that the ministry is seriously considering the establishment of an oncology unit and shown this by the request for the initial stages to be considered in the 2015 Budget," Dr Tora said.