BBCI ready for cancer patients amidst the second wave of COVID: Dr AC Kataki

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In the midst of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Dr Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) — the lone full-fledged cancer care institute in North East — is gearing up to treat Cancer patientsthe .

BBCI Director Dr Amal Chandra Kataki told The Sentinel on Tuesday that his institute is taking steps to ensure that the cancer patients can easily avail treatments there.

"The outbreak of COVID-19 and the consequent nationwide lockdown in 2020 taught us many things. In 2020, things went haywire at BBCI as the institute faced the pandemic situation for the first time. Despite all hassles, we managed to give treatments to the cancer patients as far as possible. But this time, we have the advantage of having the experience to deal with such situation. In addition majority of our Health workers, doctors and nurses have been already vaccinated; and, they are now in a better position to treat patients even if there is a second wave of COVID in the State," added Dr Kataki.

Each department in the BBCI is carrying out teleconsultation with patients on a daily basis, he said, adding that the exercise would do away with the unnecessary rush of patients at the BBCI.

"Doctors are already advising old patients on the do's and don'ts during the pandemic so that they do not have to come down to BBCI," he said.

Dr Kataki further stated that the rush of cancer patients to Mumbai and other cities in the country has been already reduced after the first wave of COVID-19 infection in 2020. "So, the BBCI is taking the load of patients who would have otherwise gone to Mumbai, Chennai and other metro cities during normal situation," he said.

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