Hubballi: Treatment at the cancer hospital of the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) here began on Wednesday.

The Linac machine worth ` 5.5 crore has been installed in the hospital, and this machine destroys cancerous cells without damaging healthy cells in the human body. It also captures high-voltage x-ray images.

KIMS Director D D Bant inaugurated the Linac machine, and he stated that the KIMS cancer hospital can treat all types of cancer through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.

"Poor patients would get free treatment here. If medicines are not available at the KIMS, patients have to bring them from outside, but the cost of those medicines would be reimbursed. For poor patients without BPL card, chief minister's relief fund would be used for their treatment," Dr Bant said.

The hospital has three machines, including two imported machines. Expert doctors give quality treatment here. The hospital has 50 beds and 40 patients are already admitted. With the increase in the number of patients, the government would be urged to increase the number of beds by 50 more, he noted.

The cancer hospital was inaugurated on May 3 itself, but commencement of treatment here was delayed, due to installation of machines and training for technicians and doctors. Kidwai Hospital of Bengaluru, Yashodha Hospital of Hyderabad, and HCG Hospital have also extended co-operation in starting the cancer hospital, Dr Bant added.

Dr Nadagouda, Dr Shashidhar, Dr Giriyappa Gowda, Dr Ramesh Babu, M K Angadi, and others were present.