Sant Tukaram Cancer Hospital and Medical Research Centre in Akola is a dream collectively perceived by many philanthropists of Akola. After receiving generous donations for this noble cause, Sant Tukaram Cancer Hospital emerged as a registered non – political, non– profit motive NGO in 1989 to serve the poorest of the poor cancer patients.
30,000 square feet state of the art hospital building is situated in the huge expanse of about 100,000 square feet of land, facing two main roads of the Akola city, thus becoming a major land mark of the city. Since last 20 years, this centre is mainly catering to total management of cancer patients from Vidarbha, Marathwada and Khandesh. The general ward has the capacity to accommodate 50 beds while 8 special rooms cater services to the affordable class of patients. 8 bedded I.C.U. mainly deals with medical & surgical emergencies and is a completely well setup unit. Spacious and well equipped operation theatre has all the modern equipments and hence all major surgeries are performed by leading onco surgeons. Patients preparation room, recovery room, minor operation theatre, sterilization room are all part and parcel of the O.T. complex, Pathology, Hematology, Histo-pathology units are well equipped with the latest machinaries and instruments to deliver quick reporting .
Huge lounge adjacent to O.P.D. counter, can accommodate more than 50 patients comfortably, consulting chambers of medical oncologist, Surgical oncologist, Radiation oncologist and physician are easily accessible to these patients in the lounge. Pathology laboratory, Bio-chemistry laboratory, X-ray room, mammography unit, Sonography unit and Treatment Planning System rooms are located in the annex close to all clinician's chambers.
At the end of the annex is the main cobalt unit designed as per the norms of atomic energy regulatory board of India. Latest Bhabhatron- II tele-cobalt machine installed in 2009 is offering radiation facility to cancer patients. Monthly more than 2000 radiation fractions are delivered to the selected patients. HDR Brachy-therapy unit caters radiation services to select patients and is proving as a better option to these patients. Experienced Radiation Safety officer, medical physicist and a team of radiation technologists look after the cobalt unit and function under the supervision of senior Radiation oncologist.
Medical Record section maintain total computerized record of cancer patients and also generate vital statistics. Situated quite far-off from this setup lies a residential block for the cobalt unit staff and RMO.
This hospital is providing services to the cancer patients not only from the Vidarbha region but also from the adjoining Khandesh and Marathwada ie. from an area of 250 km radius around Akola. All the modern facilities in the management of cancer patients are thus available under one roof at the lowest possible charges on no–loss no profit basis. Being a registered trust under the charity commissioner, poorest of the poor cancer patients are treated freely.
History Of Sant Tukaram Cancer Hospital
In the Sant Tukaram Cancer Hospital, Akola the scheme has been started in the year 2008. In the year 2008-09, 253 cancer patients have been treated. In the year 2009-10 the number came down to 156 because for few months the radiation department was under additional construction and new Bhabhatron-II Cobalt Unit was installed. In 2010-11, 280 patients could get the benefit under this scheme. Statistically amongst this class of patients falling under BPL 46% cancer patients were males and 54% were females. Amongst the males, cancer of Oropharyngeal region was more common while amongst females cancer of breast was predominant
