Bathinda, Jan. 24 -- Come February, cancer patients in the region will have access to advanced radiotherapy equipment closer home at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bathinda. Officials on Friday stated that AIIMS had secured two high-end machines, including a high energy linear accelerator (HELA) with 3D imaging and positron emission tomography (PET) scan, for cancer diagnosis and treatment. High-energy linear accelerators push electrons to near-light speeds, producing high-energy X-rays or electron beams to precisely target and destroy cancer cells while sparing surrounding healthy tissue A PET scan is a non-invasive, nuclear imaging test used to diagnose, stage and monitor cancer. Costing Rs.60 crore, the machines have been provided by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) under corporate social responsibility (CSR). Medical superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar said the twin facilities will start catering to patients next month, when Union minister of petroleum and natural gas Hardeep Puri was expected to inaugurate the advanced treatment centre at AIIMS. "The advanced facilities will enhance the healthcare capability of AIIMS," said Kumar, also the spokesperson of the central institute. While HELA 3D imaging costs around Rs.4 lakh in the private sector, AIIMS will offer it for Rs.10,000, said radiation oncology department head Dr Anil Kumar Goel....