MLA Tenginkai Advocates for Regional Cancer Center at KIMS Hubballi

Hubballi: During the winter legislative session in Belagavi, Hubballi-Dharwad (Central) MLA Mahesh Tenginkai urged the government to establish a regional cancer center at the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi.

Addressing the Medical Education Minister, Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil, Tenginkai posed a starred question and emphasized the need for a regional cancer center in Hubballi, particularly within the premises of KIMS Hospital. He pointed out that patients from 12-13 districts surrounding Dharwad district come to KIMS for cancer treatment, but the majority of treatment options are not available, making it essential to establish a Cancer Regional Centre in Hubballi to benefit the region’s economically challenged patients.

Tenginkai highlighted that the regional cancer center initially planned for Hubballi was relocated to Belagavi, even though it was sanctioned there, as the administration could not provide the required 2 acres of land. He urged the minister to reconsider and establish the cancer center in Hubballi.

Responding to the query, Minister Dr. Sharan Prakash Patil explained that the previous government had shifted the health institute from Hubballi to Belagavi. He assured that all necessary treatment options would be made available at KIMS, with facilities being strengthened in a phased manner to establish it as a referral cancer center.

Dr. Patil mentioned that the Oncology wing of KIMS already has medical oncology, surgical oncology, and a LINEAC machine, and additional facilities would be introduced in a phased manner. Despite this, Mahesh Tenginkai expressed dissatisfaction and urged the minister to establish the regional cancer center in KIMS Hubballi.

Dr. Patil stated that if the demand for a regional cancer center is deemed necessary, the process would commence, seeking approval from the finance department.