Imphal, June 22 : Believe it or not, a cobalt machine imported from Canada costing Rs. 2 crore plus transportation has been rusting in a dark and dusty corner in the Radiotherapy department in Regional Institute of Medical Sciences while cancer patients have been rushing to other states for detection and treatment. The Union government had upgraded the Radiotherapy department to a Regional Cancer centre.
Accordingly money was sanctioned for the purchase of machines from Canada and other foreign countries costing a few millions of rupees. One such costly equipment was cobalt machine for the detection and treatment of cancer. The approved firm is the biggest one in the globe and is located in Canada. Such a costly machine cannot be dumped in an ordinary room.
The Bhaba Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, had designed the room in RIMS where this costly and highly sophisticated machine was to be kept.The construction of the room was to be completed before the arrival of the consignment.The RIMS authority was instructed to complete the construction of the special room by March 2008. Money was sanctioned and the architectural designing was done.
But then there were interferences from some circles making it impossible for the RIMS authority to start the construction works in time. After hectic negotiations the construction works were started by the beginning of this year. But at the intervention of some circles the construction works were halted.After another round of talks the construction works were resumed. However the construction works were stopped once again.
The costly machine was delivered to RIMS in 2008.But then the foundation works of the building where the cobalt machine would be kept are yet to be started. The machine is dumped at the corridor. Apart from rusting the sophisticated parts must have been damaged since it is kept in the dusty and uncontrolled open air.
Officials said that the Union government will not sanction another Rs. 2 crore for mere asking if the present one develops damages and other snags. This will be an irreparable loss to the cancer patients.
It is not that the cancer patients from Manipur and other NE states could go to Mumbai frequently for regular treatment or early detection. Lots of money have to be spent. Besides there are language barrier,accommodation problems and the like for the people of the region while going to Mumbai for undergoing treatment. Besides a cancer patient has to go at regular intervals.
Sources said that the obstructions are not in this construction alone. There are such pressures and counter pressures in all construction works and the RIMS authority is helpless. Since the unutilized fund has to be returned there may not be further sanctions. On the same grounds the construction works of the Dental college and the Nursing college cannot be started although fund had been sanctioned long time back.