CUTTACK: The Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHRCC) here has set sight on turning itself into a full-fledged medical college even as moves for infrastructure upgradation and addition of facilities have gained pace. While a Masterplan is being prepared with a vision of 30 years ahead, particularly to have adequate building space to house the facilities and accommodate the increasing patient load, the premier cancer hospital has sought addition of 100 more beds to the existing 240. With 340 plus beds, the Centre would become eligible for launching MBBS courses with 50 seats under the Medical Council of India norms. The focus now, however, is on construction of additional building. The Masterplan Committee of Chief Architect of Orissa Subash Swain, invited member and Director of Regional Cancer centre of AIIMS Professor GK Rath, State Health department officials along with AHRCC authorities met here on Friday to set stage for construction of high rise blocks in the available space in the hospital. The new constructions would come up over five lakh sq ft built-in multi-storied space. The blocks are planned to be constructed on land available near the indoor block and behind the old heritage building. The urgency stems from the fact that the inflow to the hospital has grown substantially over the years. From about 1800 admissions 25 years back, indoor patients have gone up to over 9000 a year. Out patient attendance has shot up from around 6,000 to 21,000. The Committee has also decided to explore establishment of a second campus to enable hospital expansion with addition of facilities and Departments along with possible establishment of the medical college. According to sources, the Assembly Estimates Committee has recommended establishment of a medical college at AHRCC last year. The Executive Committee of the hospital has also suggested moves for addition of 100 beds. The decision after being ratified by the Governing Body later this month will be put before the State Government for approval and further action. The new blocks would enable opening of new departments. A full-fledged cancer centre has to have as many as 58 departments but AHRCC has merely around nine. There are proposals for adding 13 Departments related to Oncology including nuclear medicine, sources aid.
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