Acharya Harihar Cancer Centre fees hiked

The cost of various services and diagnostics at Cuttack Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre have been revised from August 21.

“The decision to revise the fees under four heads was taken by the governing body, headed by health minister Damodar Rout, on June 18 and was implemented from August 21,” said director of the centre Sushil Giri.

“It is really an additional burden because cancer treatment costs a lot of money and it is practically impossible for lower income groups to afford the treatment,” said Subrat Sahu, a patient.

“Essential procedures such as radiotherapy has been hiked and as a result and that is a little hard on us,” said Saudamini Munda, another patient.

Around 20,000 patients come for treatment at Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre every year. Poor patients constitute nearly 50 to 60 per cent of the total inflow to the premier cancer centre annually. Of the total patients, 1,000 on an average are treated by surgery, 2,000 by radiation and nearly 6,000 patients undergo chemotherapy.

The charge for operation theatre usage, radiotherapy, cabin and two other tests have been increased. A patient now has to pay Rs 600 as operation theatre charge instead of the earlier Rs 400.

Apart from the operation theatre charges, a patient now has to pay nearly Rs 700 more for radiotherapy.

The cost of a cabin has also been increased by Rs 200 and a patient has to pay Rs 500 for staying in an air-conditioned one. Likewise, the cost of brachytherapy has also been revised from Rs 300 to Rs 500 and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) from Rs 40 to Rs 60.

However, a patient has to pay nearly Rs 7,000 for brachytherapy and Rs 300 for FNAC at private hospitals of the state.

The revised rates will not be applicable for below poverty line category patients and they will continue to receive free treatment at the hospital.