Mysuru's Major Cancer Care Facility Nears Completion
The much-anticipated Kidwai Peripheral Cancer Centre in Mysuru is progressing rapidly, with officials confirming that over 70% of construction work is now complete. According to Chamaraja MLA K Harishgowda, who has been overseeing the project's development, the facility is firmly on schedule for completion in November of this year.
A Rs 123 Crore State Government Initiative
This significant healthcare infrastructure project represents a substantial investment by the state government, with the Department of Health and Family Welfare executing construction at a cost of Rs 123 crore. The 100-bed hospital is being developed on five acres of land generously provided by the Mysuru Medical College and Research Institute (MMCRI) at the PKTB premises on KRS Road.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah formally inaugurated the project by laying the foundation stone on December 22, 2023, marking the beginning of what promises to be a transformative medical facility for the region.
Addressing Critical Healthcare Needs
The new cancer centre is specifically designed to serve as a vital resource for more than 11,000 cancer patients in the Mysuru region, including 6,808 female patients who currently face significant challenges accessing specialized care. Presently, these individuals must undertake arduous journeys to Bengaluru's Kidwai Institute of Oncology for essential follow-up treatments.
This burden is part of a larger statewide issue, with nearly four lakh cancer patients traveling to Bengaluru's Kidwai Hospital annually for follow-up care. To alleviate this pressure and improve accessibility, the state government has strategically planned to establish peripheral cancer centres across various regions, with Mysuru being a key location in this expansion.
Collaborative Medical Infrastructure Development
Dr. KR Dakshayini, Dean and Director of MMCRI, confirmed that the institution provided the five-acre parcel of land to facilitate this crucial development. In a parallel initiative to enhance cancer care accessibility, MMCRI has already established a cancer screening and care centre at KR Hospital, where approximately 40 patients receive radiotherapy daily alongside other follow-up cancer treatments.
Future Expansion and Operational Plans
The current 100-bed facility represents just the initial phase of a more ambitious vision. Government plans indicate potential expansion to 350 beds in the coming years, significantly increasing the centre's capacity to serve the region's growing healthcare needs.
Dr. Naveen Y Bhat, Dean and Director of Kidwai Institute of Oncology, revealed that a comprehensive proposal for manpower recruitment and equipment procurement for the Mysuru Peripheral Cancer Centre has been submitted to the state government. Once construction concludes and the building is formally handed over to the institute, systematic processes for staff recruitment and equipment installation will commence immediately.
This coordinated approach between government authorities, medical institutions, and healthcare professionals underscores the commitment to establishing a fully operational, state-of-the-art cancer care facility that will dramatically improve treatment accessibility for thousands of patients across the Mysuru region.
