Madurai GRH Patients Travel 4 km for Radiation Due to Space Crunch

Madurai: The absence of a radiation therapy facility at the Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) has forced cancer patients to travel nearly four kilometres to the Cancer Care Centre (CCC) at the Government Hospital in Balarengapuram for treatment.

Cancer patients at Madurai GRH face stress and extra expenses as lack of radiation facility forces them to travel 4 km for therapy.

Patients and attendants say the distance adds both financial and emotional strain to their already difficult medical journey.

Sivasubramanian (54), a patient undergoing treatment, shared his ordeal: “After basic treatment at GRH, I have to visit the CCC frequently for radiation therapy. Travelling four kilometres each time causes mental and physical stress, and I spend around ₹100 to ₹150 on auto-rickshaw fares for every trip.”

Family members and attendants echoed similar concerns, pointing out the back-and-forth travel between the two hospitals. “After doctors recommend radiation at GRH, we go to CCC. Once the therapy is completed, we have to return to GRH for further directions. This routine not only increases stress but also adds to expenses,” said one attendant.

A senior medical officer at GRH explained that the lack of radiation facilities was mainly due to insufficient space on campus. “Our oncology department has two sections — a medical oncology wing with 60 beds and a surgical oncology wing with 120 beds. However, there is no room for setting up radiation equipment. On average, 8–9 patients are referred to CCC for radiation therapy. For critical cases, ambulances are arranged,” he said.

GRH Dean Dr. L Arul Sundaresh Kumar acknowledged the issue, stating that all treatment facilities should ideally be available in one place. “Currently, there is no space in GRH to establish new facilities. We have requested the government to provide land near Madurai Medical College, which is close to GRH, and have submitted a proposal to the Director of Medical Education,” he said.

Until then, patients will continue to face additional burdens of travel and cost in pursuit of life-saving treatment.