Kozhikode: The much-awaited tertiary cancer centre (TCC) at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (KMCH) temporarily started on Thursday with the outpatient wing and daycare chemotherapy at the new three-storey building near chest hospital.
Sources said that after the inauguration of the building, the radiotherapy, surgical oncology, medical oncology, pediatric oncology and gynecologic oncology departments would be shifted here. According to KMCH authorities, TCC has facilities on par with Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) Thiruvananthapuram.
"The date of inauguration has not been fixed. It has the most modern equipment and services in cancer care and treatment," said Calicut Medical College (CMC) principal Dr V.R. Rajendran.
More than 6,000 cancer cases are being attended at KMCH annually, from Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram and Kannur districts besides from far off Kasargod and Palakkad.
The first phase completed spending close to Rs 45 crore.
"TCC is a major milestone in cancer treatment and would cater to the demands of scores of people of Malabar. It is expected to lessen the burden on RCC," said M.K. Raghavan MP.
He was instrumental in following up the development of the centre at every stage.
The shifting of five departments to TCC will provide relief to KMCH, starved of space and infrastructure.
