Radiotherapy machine at MMCH lies inoperative for four months

The lone radiotherapy machine for treating cancer patients at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH) has been out of order for four months, much to the suffering of the patients.

Dr Md Aminul Islam, a cancer specialist and associate professor of Oncology Department of MMCH, said Tk 30 lakh is needed for servicing the radiotherapy machine, which was procured in 1996.

The money was allocated by the government in the current and previous fiscal years, but the MMCH authorities allegedly did not take initiatives for servicing the machine and the allocation was returned, Dr Aminul Islam added.

We wrote to the hospital director several times in the last couple of years,  but to no effect, the doctor further said.

There are two cancer wards at the department with 13-bed facilities, including eight for males, but there is no patient admitted now as the radiotherapy can't be done, sources said.

All patients are referred to Dhaka for radiotherapy, but many could not get appointment in time at government hospitals in Dhaka, said Dr Aminul Islam.

Only chemotherapy is done at the department but many patients are forced by some employees to go to private clinics, it was also alleged.

Once the machine was used from morning till evening to handle hundreds of patients but now the number of patients has sharply decreased as we cannot render due services to them, sources said.

Earlier, at least 60 patients visited the department everyday but now it has reduced sharply. Only 1058 patients visited the department this year till December 11, they said.

The department has out-door facilities but there is no medical officer and resident surgeon posted at the department.

A cancer patient needs Tk 5,000 to Tk 10,000 to undergo a month-long radiotherapy at a government hospital while private hospitals charge around Tk 1 lakh, which is beyond the reach of poor patients, said Dr Islam.

For chemotherapy, the patients have to pay only Tk 600 per dose in the hospital, while private clinics take Tk 20,000 to Tk 30,000, sources said.

Businessman Md Saiful Islam, a cancer patient from Montola in Mymensingh Sadar upazila, said "I have been referred to Dhaka for radio therapy after completing the chemotherapy, but I don't know how to manage the huge amount of money."x

Mahfuza Akhtar, 36, a cancer patient from Trishal, said it is a burden for her to bear the cost in Mymensingh and if she is referred to Dhaka for radiotherapy, it would be out of her capacity.

Prof Dr Safiul Alam, head of Radiology Department, said the process to repair the machine is on.

Contacted, MMCH Director Brig Gen Nasir Uddin Ahamed said steps have been taken to make the machine functional by January next year.