The confirmation follows donations for the cancer centre exceeding the B290 million target yesterday (Feb 10). As of late yesterday, donations had already reached B306mn.
“While the donations have reached the target, we are still accepting further contributions,” Dr Weerasak told The Phuket News.
“The additional donations will be used to purchase essential medical equipment, tools and supplies for the radiology department,” he said.
Organisers of the fund-raising campaign, with strong support by Phuket Governor Sophon Suwannarat, have enjoyed a surge in donations in recent days, along with a boost from a ‘Pha Pa Chai Saeng’ fundraising event held last Friday and Saturday (Feb 7-8).
Rawiphen Kingkaew, Deputy Director of Vachira Phuket Hospital, previously explained that Vachira Phuket Hospital was in critical need of a cancer-treatment facility.
“Vachira currently serves around 1,000 new cancer patients each year from Phuket, Phang Nga and Krabi. About 500 of these patients require radiation therapy, but the hospital currently lacks the facilities to provide it,” she said.
“Vachira Phuket Hospital currently offers chemotherapy and surgery for cancer patients but does not have radiation therapy facilities. Instead, patients must travel to Surat Thani, Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Songkhla or Bangkok for care.
“While treatment costs can be covered through various healthcare funds, patients and their families must bear the expenses for travel, accommodation and food,” she added.
“For those facing financial difficulties, these additional costs can be overwhelming, often forcing them to forgo radiation therapy ‒ reducing their chances of recovery and relief from the disease,” she added.
“While the Ministry of Public Health has allocated a budget for essential medical equipment, including a 4D high-energy particle accelerator radiation therapy machine worth B120mn and a treatment simulation and planning machine worth B32mn, a specialised building must be constructed to house them,” Ms Rawiphen said.
Meanwhile, the Phuket Area Revenue Office has confirmed that all donations to the construction of the cancer care centre will not only receive the value of their donation as a tax deduction, but instead will receive twice the value of their donation as a tax deduction, but only for deductions within the one tax year.