Sangrur, June 24: Giving a major boost to cancer care services in Punjab, the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC), Punjab—a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India—has upgraded its radiotherapy facilities at the Sangrur center. This was achieved by successfully loading a new Cobalt-60 source into the Bhabhatron (BH-II) teletherapy machine. This upgrade is expected to enhance treatment capacity, improve operational efficiency, and significantly reduce waiting times for cancer patients requiring radiation therapy.
With this new update, approximately 65 patients can now be treated daily, depending on treatment protocols and machine scheduling. Previously, the machine could handle only 15–20 patients a day, forcing many to wait for six to eight weeks.
Dr. Ashish Gulia, Director of HBCHRC Punjab, stated that this development is a significant step towards ensuring timely and accessible cancer treatment for patients in the region.
"The successful commissioning of the new Cobalt-60 source significantly strengthens our radiotherapy services at the Sangrur hospital. With the upgraded machine, we will be able to provide treatment more efficiently through an improved dose rate, while also drastically reducing patient waiting times. The waiting period is expected to drop from six–eight weeks to approximately four weeks. Most importantly, patients will be able to receive quality radiation treatment closer to their homes without having to travel to distant cities," he said. Dr. Gulia added that a large number of patients would benefit from this enhanced facility every day. "Currently, approximately 100 cancer patients receive radiation treatment daily across two machines at our Sangrur center. With the upgraded teletherapy machine, our total treatment capacity will increase to over 140 patients per day. Higher dose rates will also reduce the time patients spend on the treatment machine, thereby improving their overall experience. Early initiation of radiotherapy is crucial in cancer management, and minimizing delays can significantly contribute to better treatment outcomes.
He further stated, 'The Department of Atomic Energy has provided financial assistance of approximately ?1.5 crore for the procurement, transportation, and installation of the source for the BH-II machine in Sangrur to support needy cancer patients in Punjab.'
Cancer treatment with world-class facilities: It is worth noting that the Honorable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi dedicated this hospital to the nation in August 2022 to provide excellent cancer care to Punjab and neighboring states. Built at a cost of around ?660 crore by the Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai—under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India—this 300-bed hospital is equipped with every modern facility (such as surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and bone marrow transplantation). This hospital operates as a 'Hub,' while the 150-bed hospital in Sangrur serves patients as a 'Spoke'."