The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is planning on starting a 75-bed ward for chemotherapy and radiotherapy at one of its hospitals, Nair Hospital.

Currently Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) in the city is the only public facility where the therapies are available. However, the waiting period for patients to avail of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in TMH could go up to a few months. This is the reason BMC is looking up other options to shorten the waiting list and to provide for quick and cost effective treatment.

According to civic sources, there are currently 25 beds each in civic-run KEM, Nair and Sion hospitals for cancer surgeries. KEM Hospital also has a special ward for the treatment of breast cancer.

The proposal will be soon be tabled before the health committee. Once its approved, the chemotherapy and radiotherapy centre will be commissioned in Nair hospital within an year, said a civic official.