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.
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