Anantapur cancer unit needs staff

Although, the cancer unit was set up near the blood bank at JNTUA Road five years ago, the machine has remained unused all these years due to lack of skilled staff like radiation safety officer technicians to operate the machine.

The general hospital authorities has started operating the machine two months ago after hiring a retired official and two technicians on contract.

The cancer unit was set up to provide chemo therapy and physiotherapy for cancer patients from all parts of Anantapur district.

The low cost machine, costing an estimated Rs 2 crore, had been set up at the Anantapur unit five years ago. A radiation safety officer's post was sanctioned for the unit to operate equipment to treat patients in need of chemo therapy.

A radiation safety officer, with post graduation in physics and having certificate from Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is eligible to operate the machine.

But, heavy demand for certified safety officers was reportedly the reason why the post has remained vacant for five years, sources said.

There are nearly 60 officers certified by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana states, an official observed, adding that radiation officers normally prefer to work in cities and also on high technology equipment.

Anantapur cancer unit in-charge Durga Prasad said the machine is being operated since the last two months with the help of a retired official Ramakrishna Reddy “We are providing chemo therapy and physiotherapy services to patients,” Mr Durga Pra-sad stated.

While two radiotherapy technologists are needed, RDT is paying the salary for one post and Anantapur Medical College principal is paying from college development fund for the other post.

Anantpur legislator V. Prabhakar Chowdary said he would make every effort to get advanced machine at Anantapur along with necessary staff including a radiation safety officer.