Mysuru:
In response to the escalating cancer burden in Karnataka, the state government is setting up Day Care Chemotherapy Centres (DCCCs) across district hospitals to improve accessibility and ease pressure on tertiary facilities. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is set to inaugurate one such centre at the District Hospital in Mysuru on May 23.
New Facility to Offer Localised, Cost-Free Chemotherapy
District Surgeon Dr. Amarnath confirmed to Deccan Herald that the DCCC in Mysuru will initially operate with 20 beds—10 for men and 10 for women. With over 70,000 new cancer cases reported annually in the state, the initiative aims to decentralise treatment and reduce patient congestion in major oncology centres.
The Mysuru centre will primarily handle palliative care and chemotherapy for solid tumours including oral, breast, cervical, lung, colon, and prostate cancers. “Only a ward and beds are needed—no major equipment—making the facility cost-effective,” Dr. Amarnath added.
Doctors from the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology in Bengaluru will visit Mysuru to provide treatment free of cost, minimising travel and financial burdens for patients. “This is a huge relief,” said Deepti, a local resident whose father is undergoing cancer treatment. “The expert guidance from Kidwai doctors being available locally is a blessing for many families.”
Hub and Spoke Model to Guide Cancer Care Delivery
The programme will operate on a Hub and Spoke model. Specialised cancer centres like Kidwai will function as Hubs, designing treatment plans, while Spokes—such as district hospitals—will administer ongoing chemotherapy and follow-ups.
In Mysuru, the District Hospital serves as the Spoke, with Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology acting as the Hub.
Urgent Need for Decentralised Cancer Services
Data from Kidwai highlights the urgency of this initiative: Karnataka reported 2,11,630 cancer cases in 2021, including 93,805 male and 1,17,825 female patients. Bengaluru alone has a crude incidence rate of 110.9 per 1,00,000 people. Among men, lung cancer (10.1%) is the most prevalent, while breast (27.9%) and cervical cancers (12%) are the most common among women.
With patients often travelling long distances for treatment, the new DCCCs aim to reduce emotional and financial strain and ensure timely care for patients across the state.
