A high definition endoscopic system costing around Rs60 lakh has been installed in Department of Medical Gastroenterology at PGIMS Rohtak which is beneficial in detecting cancer of gastrointestinal tract at an early stage. Dr Parveen Malhotra, Head, Department of Medical Gastroenterology, PGIMS on Monday said that there are many patients suffering from such cancer and daily about 3-4 patients, especially of carcinoma esophagus are detected endoscopically in the department.
He he said that he was himself maintaining, a round-the-clock, India’s first endoscopy helpline 9671000017, whereby needy patients are given required consultation and endoscopy date, that too is done within 24 hours. Around 35 endoscopic procedures are done daily free of cost and there has been no waiting list for last five years, when the department was established, he added.
An Argon Plasma Coagulation machine costing around Rs 10 lakhs has also been installed, which would be helpful in controlling bleeding due to various reasons like ulcers, radiation proctitis and vascular ectasia. Patients in private set up spend thousands of rupees for these procedures but at Gastroenterology Department, it would be totally free of cost and without any waiting period, he added.
He said that the order for purchase of Fibroscan machine, costing around Rs 1.08 crore has already been placed and within few days it would be installed. At present this facility is available only at selected government hospitals like AIIMS, PGIMER Chandigarh or big corporate hospitals. Fibroscan is helpful in detecting the extent of liver damage without taking liver biopsy, which has its own complications.