Weekly Cancer OPD Services to Launch at Padampur Hosp Amid Operational Concerns

The weekly OPD aims to provide early screening and timely intervention to patients, especially in rural areas where access to specialized cancer treatment remains a challenge.

In response to the rising number of cancer cases in western Odisha, the Padampur Sub-Divisional Hospital in Bargarh district has launched a dedicated cancer Outpatient Department (OPD) service every Tuesday.

Beginning November 5, the weekly OPD aims to provide early screening and timely intervention to patients, especially in rural areas where access to specialized cancer treatment remains a challenge.

The announcement follows the opening of Bargarh Cancer Hospital earlier this year, a 100-bed facility established at a cost of INR 106 Cr.

Despite the hospital’s efforts, ongoing infrastructural limitations mean many patients continue to seek cancer treatment outside the district.

Addressing High Cancer Rates in Bargarh District

Western Odisha, and Bargarh in particular, has seen an alarming surge in cancer cases, contributing to over 60% of Odisha’s 8,000 annual cancer diagnoses. The new weekly OPD at Padampur is intended to tackle these numbers by promoting early diagnosis.

“Our goal is to destigmatize cancer and promote early screening by making services more accessible to people in peripheral areas,” said Dr Naresh Padhan, the onco-surgeon overseeing services at the cancer hospital.

The pilot program aims to test the demand for localized cancer care, with potential for expansion based on patient turnout and community feedback. By offering OPD services at the Padampur hospital, local healthcare authorities hope to minimize the distance patients need to travel for cancer-related consultations.

The launch of the weekly cancer OPD comes amid scrutiny over the operational readiness of the Bargarh Cancer Hospital. Inaugurated in February with an investment of INR 106Cr, the hospital has managed to treat around 120 patients monthly.

However, incomplete facilities have forced many patients to seek alternative treatment options, limiting the hospital's immediate impact.

Despite these challenges, Bargarh Cancer Hospital has managed to achieve some notable outcomes, including complex surgeries that underscore the facility's potential once fully operational. Ashwini Kumar Darji, chairman of Fighters’ Group, a local cancer advocacy organization, emphasized the importance of early diagnosis for survival rates.

“Early detection significantly reduces cancer-related fatalities,” he stated, urging local and state authorities to expedite the completion of all necessary facilities at the hospital.

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