Oral oncology and nursing to start at Cachar Cancer Hospital

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

Silchar: The Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (CCHRC), Meherpur, near this town, run by NGO Cachar Cancer Hospital Society has crossed a landmark in its history of nearly 25 years.

For the first time in Northeast India, it got necessary permissions to start two very important medical and training courses in oncology. This is related to science and technology of cancer. This includes fellowship in oral oncology, a two-year course. This course exists in only five medical institutes of the country. One of them is at Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre here. This is no doubt a great advancement in more than two decades of its history of the centre of cancer treatment in the Northeast.

It is quite heartening that the course with wide vista of opportunities in career build-up was started at Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre from this year. The second course relates to post basic diploma in oncological nursing. The entry qualification for this course is either B.Sc. (Nursing) or diploma in general nursing and midwifery (GNM). For over a period of time, Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre has been accommodating researchers in the field of oncology and many of them completed their research work successfully. Dr Ravi Kannan M.S., M.Ch surgical oncology, a former Professor from Cancer Institute, Adyar, Chennai, has been steering this centre as the director. He is assisted by highly qualified and trained onco specialists, faculty, doctors and paramedics.

Cachar Cancer Hospital and Research Centre has made a place of distinction among all the cancer treatment centres in the country. Set up in 1994 by a dedicated band of social activists drawn from different professions of life, the CCHRC has achieved many a laurel by providing the best of treatment to the poor and downtrodden patients not only of Barak Valley but also of the neighbouring States of Tripura, Mizoram and Manipur as well as Dima Hasao district. Every day, around 10 to 11 new patients come to this Centre. Annually, the figure touches more than 3000 patients. Equipped with the updated and sophisticated machines and instruments, the well qualified team of doctors, medical and paramedical staff takes care of the patients with the most affordable cost. Patients need not have to go outside for treatment.