Nagpur: State medical education minister Hasan Mushrif on Monday said Rs1 crore has been approved to procure a fresh source for the struggling cobalt therapy unit for cancer treatment at the Govt Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Nagpur.Mushrif informed the legislative assembly that technical and administrative approval have been received for procuring a fresh Cobalt-60 source — the radioactive component critical for delivering radiation therapy to cancer patients. The funds are likely to be available in April, after which the cobalt machine will work at full capacity at the earliest.GMCH officials said the unit is still functional, but is not working up to its full capacity due to the gradual weakening of its source. Installed nearly a decade ago and last replaced in 2016, the Cobalt-60 source has exceeded its effective lifespan of about five years, leading to slower radiation delivery and fewer patients being treated each day. Around 80 patients require cobalt therapy daily at GMCH, but many have to return without receiving it because of the slowdown. Delays in sourcing a replacement have compounded the crisis. The Cobalt-60 source is typically imported from Canada, leading to procurement lags, while attempts to obtain it domestically through the Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) did not materialise due to technical constraints.The issue was raised in the Assembly by MLA Nitin Raut, highlighting the strain on cancer patients dependent on timely radiation therapy. Alongside the cobalt unit revival, the govt is also pushing long-pending infrastructure upgrades. Mushrif said the govt is focusing on strengthening cancer treatment facilities in Nagpur. He added that several improvements in treatment infrastructure will be implemented over the next 5-6 months.To further enhance cancer care, an advanced linear accelerator machine has also been approved. A purchase order for the equipment was issued on Feb 20, and it is expected to become operational within the next six months, improving access to effective treatment for cancer patients in the region.
