Sambalpur: Cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla of Odisha's Sambalpur district are facing serious difficulties as two key chemotherapy drugs, cisplatin and carboplatin, are reportedly unavailable at the hospital.

According to the Odisha State Medical Corporation Limited (OSMCL), the supply of the two drugs has been disrupted due to the Iran-US conflict. The shortage has forced some patients to purchase the medicines from the open market, where they are paying between Rs 3,500 and Rs 4,500.

The shortage has created an additional financial burden for patients, most of whom depend on free treatment and government health schemes. A woman worker undergoing chemotherapy at VIMSAR said she could afford treatment only because of her health card. However, with the hospital no longer providing cisplatin and carboplatin free of cost, she recently spent Rs 3,500 on carboplatin and Rs 4,500 on cisplatin.

Doctors have advised her to undergo six chemotherapy sessions. She said it would be extremely difficult for her to spend thousands of rupees on medicines for every session.

VIMSAR provides chemotherapy to more than 500 patients every month. A large number of them come from poor or lower-middle-income families.

According to information from VIMSAR authorities, OSMCL has been unable to supply cisplatin and carboplatin to the hospital for more than two months. Doctors have expressed concern that continued shortages could affect the timely delivery of chemotherapy to patients.

Medical experts said the two drugs are important components of chemotherapy for several types of cancer. Any interruption in their availability can disrupt treatment schedules and place an additional financial burden on patients who cannot afford medicines from private pharmacies.

Doctors also said supplies in the open market are currently limited and could run out soon if the situation continues.

Patients and their families are now urging the government to take immediate steps to restore the supply of the medicines at VIMSAR. They fear that if the shortage continues, the problem could become more serious and put further pressure on economically vulnerable cancer patients.