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International Cancer Centre, Neyyoor, an extension wing of the Kanyakumari
Medical Mission, was started in the year 1963 for providing
specialized treatment and care to patients afflicted with cancer.
The credit of starting this specialized medical facility goes
to the yeomen services of the Foreign Medical Missionaries especially
Dr.T.H. Somerwell and Dr.D.G. Jenkins.
Dr. T.H. Somerwell in his book "Knife and Life in India", went on writing about many days of operation at Neyyoor, mentioning about oral cancer patients. The high prevalence of oral cancers made him develop a new technique of doing hemimandiblectomy on this type of patients.
Dr. D.G. Jenkins succeeded him in the year 1951 and he continued
the good works done by Dr.T.H. Somervell for oral cancer patients.
Various efforts were made to contact the donor agencies. The
donation for the purchase of Gammatron 3 telecobalt machine
by the E.Z.E.Germany in the year 1963 was the beginning of starting
a separate institute for the people afflicted with cancer. Following
this, Misseerior and the Government of India extended their
help for the construction of Radiotherapy Block and their departments
and for the installation of Telecobalt machine.
In 1965, Dr. I. Muir Grieve, an eminent oncologist from South Africa was appointed as Director. During his tenure, the construction of the first phase was completed in the year 1967. Following his retirement, Dr. H. Syed Ali took charge as Director in the year 1969. Only in his tenure Telecobalt Therapy was started and various Departments were planned systematically. He was followed by Dr. S. Kingsley, Dr. Charles, Dr. Geoffrey R.Joel and Dr. J.C. Vijayan and now the center has become an integral part of Kanyakumari Medical Mission.
International Cancer Centre, Neyyoor, is a 75 bedded hospital
consisting of 15 special rooms 30 male and 30 female beds. Dr.
Rafeeqa Bagum M.D (R.T) and Dr. Febe Renjitha Suman, MD (Path)
continue to wprk as Oncologist and Pathologist respectively.
Dr. Tamilchelvam who served as the only radiotherapist of this
center passed away suddenly on 19.10.2005 and his sad demice
has left a big vacum in ICC. His dedication to the cancer patients
is well remembered. ICC will being the praises of him for ever.
Treatment of any cancer is based on early diagnosis and the stage of the disease. For early detection the facilities include Haematological, Biochemical, Histo-Pathological and Cytological and Radiological studies. Treatment includes Radiotherapy, Chemotherapy and Surgery.
Ultrasound scanner was added as a diagnostic tool in our institution
in the year 1990. This was a special gift from E.Z.E. Germany.
Recently also, E.Z.E. Germany was gracious enough to replace
the faulty linear probe in the scanner.
The source of Gammatron-3 was recently reloaded. The E.Z.E.Germany has helped us through council for Healing Minstry in reloading the source (1993).
Due to increase in the input of patients, Theratron 80 telecobalt
machine was installed in the year 1985. With the help of E.Z.E.
Germany, the telecobalt machines are operated with a close circuit
T.V.system and Gamma Monitors. The activity of source of Theratron
80 is reduced to a very minimal level and hence, needs replacement.
Also, the machine needs some costly spare parts.
Improvements were made inside and outside the hospital premises.
A portigo and dispensary were constructed. Laboratory and Medical
Records Sections were renovated and modernized by the special
ward consisting of 15 special rooms was constructed and it was
inaugurated on 15th May 1993 by M.R. Horst Kowski, Administrator,
Christian Mission Service in the presence of our Bishop Rt.Rev.G.
Christdhas, M.A.,B.D. Our sincere thanks are due to the Tamil
Parish, Dubai, and sister Lurie and Edith from Germany for their
valuable contribution for our cancer center.
Our special need of the hour is to get a Linear Accelerator, advanced Branchytheraphy Units, a CT Scanner, MRI Scanner for giving a better care to the cancer patients.
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