Dr P S Prabhakaran is the Director of Kidwai Memorial Institute
of Oncology. With ground-breaking administrative ideas he has
undertaken several programmes for the betterment of the Institute.
A brilliant surgeon with 20 years of experience in treating around
40,000 cancer cases, he continues to be deeply moved by the plight
of cancer patients. He has also started several schemes for their
benefit. Infosys, in providing shape to his mission, has donated 2.5
crores to the Institute.
 Dr
P S Prabhakaran, a recognised name in the realm of Oncology, has
been lauded nationally and internationally for his contribution and
dedicated work in the field of Oncology. He is also a member of the
National Advisory Board regarding studies about the ill effects of
tobacco. Recognising the need for insurance against cancer, he has
started a novel scheme called 'Cancer Insurance Scheme' which
is the cheapest in the world. His efforts do not end in the operation
theatre. He has also been promoting cancer prevention education. "60
to 65 % of all cancer can be prevented through proper cancer awareness
programmes," he says.
What is your dream?
I want to make KIDWAI the world's number one research and development
institute. There is already some progress regarding MOU with countries
like the United States to make it the world's number one hospital
with all modern facilities for both rich and poor.
Could you tell me about the Kidwai Cancer Drug Foundation (KCDF)?
The cancer drug foundation provides anti-cancer drugs and preventive
drugs to all patients on a no-loss-no-profit basis. It is 30 to 40
times cheaper than market rates and a boon to poor patients. A permanent
building for KCDF is coming up at KMIO at a cost of 35 lakhs. It will
function 24 hours making it easier for patients to get essential drugs.
What about the new Dharamshala? Who's idea was this?
The management, and I, we are really thankful to Infosys, Bangalore.
After a vigilant watch of our Institute's development and patient
care for a while, they have come forward to construct another Dharmashala
costing 2.5 crores. This idea was mine but due to financial constraints
we could not go ahead. Infosys has taken interest and the construction
is in progress. This will help not only poor patients but also people
who come from far off places. There are independent rooms in the old
Dharamshala costing Rs 20 per day, but shared rooms are free of cost.
We also provide free food to the patient and one attendant.
Any recent financial aid from the Government?
On a visit to the Institute on July 19, 2000, Chief minister S M Krishna
took an instant decision to grant finance for the building of an eight
story wing with 250 beds with all modern facilities.
Where are your peripheral cancer centers?
Keeping in mind the need of rural patients, who often don't come for
treatment over long distances due to socio-economic reasons, two peripheral
centres have been set up at Mandya and Gulbarga. I personally feel
that there should be more such centres depending upon regional needs.
What message would you like to give to the public regarding cancer?In
our country 60-65% of all cancers are tobacco-related, be it smoking
or chewing tobacco. Just by avoiding these we can prevent 65% of cancers.
This is the simplest and easiest way of preventing millions of deaths.
There are around 10,000 new cases and 1,60,000 follow up cases per
year.
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