Oncology / Cancer Hospital Design & Construction in Pakistan | ACCO
A cancer hospital is one of the most complex specialty facilities in modern medicine — combining medical oncology, radiation oncology, surgical oncology, nuclear medicine, and palliative care. Every design decision must simultaneously address radiation shielding, infection control (for immunocompromised patients), and the emotional support that cancer patients and their families need. Building an oncology hospital design Pakistan project requires deep specialisation in radiation bunker construction and cleanroom pharmacy.
At Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO), we design and build oncology wings and cancer facilities as part of our multi-specialty hospital portfolio across Pakistan.
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🎀 What Is an Oncology / Cancer Hospital?
A cancer hospital is a specialised facility providing comprehensive cancer care across the full patient journey — screening, diagnosis, treatment (surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy), and survivorship or palliative care.
Types of Oncology Facilities
- Day-Care Chemotherapy Centre: IV chemo only, no radiation, no surgery.
- Medical Oncology Hospital: Chemo + inpatient + basic imaging.
- Radiation Oncology Centre: LINAC + brachytherapy + planning.
- Comprehensive Cancer Hospital: Medical + radiation + surgical + nuclear medicine.
- Tertiary Cancer Institute: Full spectrum + teaching + research + bone marrow transplant.
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🏥 Core Departments
- Oncology OPD (multiple sub-specialty).
- Cancer screening and diagnostic imaging.
- Nuclear medicine (PET-CT, gamma camera).
- Radiology (MRI, CT, mammography, ultrasound).
- Cytology and histopathology lab.
- Chemotherapy day-care.
- Cleanroom pharmacy (aseptic chemo preparation).
- Radiation oncology (LINAC bunkers).
- Brachytherapy suite (HDR/LDR).
- Surgical oncology OT.
- Bone marrow transplant unit (BMT) — optional.
- Inpatient wards (protective isolation).
- Palliative care unit.
- Counselling, support, and rehabilitation.
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📏 Space Programme for a 100-Bed Cancer Hospital
| Department | Area (m²) |
|---|---|
| Oncology OPD | 400–600 |
| Nuclear Medicine (PET-CT + Gamma) | 300–450 |
| Radiology (MRI, CT, Mammography) | 350–500 |
| Cytology / Histopathology Lab | 200–300 |
| Chemotherapy Day-Care (30 chairs) | 350–500 |
| Cleanroom Pharmacy | 150–220 |
| Radiation Oncology (2 LINAC bunkers) | 500–700 |
| Brachytherapy Suite | 150–220 |
| Surgical Oncology OT (3–4 OTs) | 350–450 |
| ICU / Surgical ICU (12 beds) | 280–380 |
| BMT Unit (Optional — 4 beds) | 150–250 |
| Wards (100 beds mix) | 1,800–2,400 |
| Palliative Care Unit | 250–350 |
| Blood Bank | 120–180 |
| CSSD | 120–180 |
| Administration | 200–300 |
| Support | 300–450 |
| Circulation & Common (30%) | 1,900–2,600 |
| Total | 7,870–10,930 m² |
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☢️ LINAC Bunker Design — The Most Complex Room in the Hospital
A Linear Accelerator (LINAC) bunker is a specially shielded room housing the radiation therapy machine. It is arguably the most engineering-intensive single room in modern healthcare.
LINAC Bunker Design Parameters
- Room size: 55–75 m² (treatment area + maze).
- Wall thickness: 1.5–2.5 m of dense concrete (specific gravity 2.4–2.6).
- Alternatively: normal concrete + steel/lead composite shielding.
- Maze entrance: ~5–8 m corridor to reduce direct beam exposure at door.
- Radiation-shielded door (motorised, 2–4 tonnes).
- Structure: reinforced concrete slab (750 mm+) with heavy live load capacity.
- HVAC: dedicated AHU, 6–10 ACH, radiation-safe ductwork routing.
- Radiation monitoring badges at multiple locations.
- Interlocks, warning lights, audio-visual patient monitoring.
- Emergency stop and manual override for patient safety.
- PNRA-approved shielding calculation by qualified medical physicist.
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🧪 Cleanroom Chemotherapy Pharmacy
Chemotherapy drugs are cytotoxic — dangerous to both patients and staff. They must be prepared in a cleanroom environment with vertical laminar airflow and total staff protection.
Cleanroom Pharmacy Requirements
- ISO 7 anteroom + ISO 5 preparation cabinet (Class II BSC).
- HEPA H14 filtration.
- Negative pressure to protect surroundings (cytotoxic containment).
- Positive pressure inside primary cabinet (product protection).
- Cytotoxic waste segregation.
- PPE donning/doffing anteroom.
- Chemotherapy spill kit and eye-wash station.
- Refrigerated storage with temperature monitoring.
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💧 Chemotherapy Day-Care Design
- Individual reclining chairs (12–13 m² per station) with private curtains.
- Line-of-sight nursing observation.
- Warm ambient lighting, TV/entertainment.
- Family chair adjacent.
- Refreshment access (snacks, water).
- Individual O2 and vacuum outlets.
- Alarm call at each station.
- Adjacent counselling room.
- Emergency crash cart within 30 m.
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💮 PET-CT & Nuclear Medicine
- Hot lab for radioisotope preparation (shielded).
- Uptake rooms for patient injection and quiet wait.
- PET-CT room (lead-shielded).
- Radioactive waste decay storage.
- Cyclotron facility for large centres (optional).
- PNRA licensing throughout.
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💨 HVAC Standards for Cancer Hospital
| Zone | ACH | Filter | Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chemo Pharmacy | 15–20 | HEPA H14 | Negative (cytotoxic) |
| BMT Isolation | 15–20 | HEPA H14 | Positive (protective) |
| OT Complex | 20–25 | HEPA H14 | Positive |
| LINAC Bunker | 6–10 | MERV 14 | Neutral |
| PET-CT | 6–8 | MERV 14 | Negative (radiation) |
| Chemo Day-Care | 6–8 | MERV 13 | Positive |
| Wards | 6 | MERV 13 | Neutral |
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💰 Cost Breakdown for a 100-Bed Cancer Hospital (2026)
- Civil & structure (incl. LINAC bunkers): PKR 45–65 crore.
- MEP: PKR 40–55 crore.
- Interior & finishes: PKR 18–25 crore.
- Modular OT / clinical fit-out: PKR 8–12 crore.
- LINAC machines (2): PKR 40–80 crore.
- Brachytherapy system: PKR 10–18 crore.
- PET-CT + gamma camera: PKR 45–75 crore.
- MRI + CT + mammography: PKR 25–40 crore.
- Chemotherapy chairs & pharmacy: PKR 5–8 crore.
- ICU + wards equipment: PKR 15–25 crore.
- Blood bank + lab: PKR 8–12 crore.
- FF&E: PKR 10–15 crore.
- IT & digital: PKR 8–12 crore.
- Consultancy & approvals: PKR 10–15 crore.
- Contingency: PKR 30–45 crore.
- Total (excl. land): PKR 317–502 crore
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📋 Regulatory Approvals
- PHC / SHCC / KP HCC hospital licensing.
- PNRA licensing for LINAC, brachytherapy, PET-CT, gamma camera.
- Safe Blood Transfusion Authority (SBTA).
- PMDC registration.
- DRAP pharmacy license.
- Cytotoxic waste handling license (EPA).
- Building approval (LDA / CDA / SBCA).
- Fire safety NOC.
- Biomedical waste registration.
See also: Hospital Regulatory Approvals.
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⚖️ Day-Care Centre vs Full Cancer Hospital
| Aspect | Day-Care Chemo Centre | Full Cancer Hospital |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | IV chemotherapy only | Medical + surgical + radiation |
| LINAC / Radiation | No | Yes |
| PET-CT | No (referral) | Yes |
| Inpatient | Observation only | Full wards + ICU |
| Investment | PKR 15–35 crore | PKR 320–500 crore |
| Land Requirement | 1–2 kanal | 8–16 kanal |
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🏨 ACCO’s Oncology Facility Approach
- PNRA-compliant LINAC bunker design with medical physicist collaboration.
- ISO-compliant cleanroom chemotherapy pharmacy.
- Radiation-shielded PET-CT and nuclear medicine rooms.
- Protective isolation ward and BMT unit design.
- Biophilic and calming interior design for chemotherapy day-care and wards.
- Turnkey delivery from feasibility to commissioning.
Related: Hospital Design & Construction · Hospital HVAC & Cleanroom Standards.
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a cancer hospital cost in Pakistan?
A 100-bed comprehensive cancer hospital with 2 LINACs, brachytherapy, PET-CT, and full surgical oncology typically costs PKR 317–502 crore turnkey.
How long does construction take?
30–42 months for a full cancer hospital; LINAC bunkers alone take 6–10 months due to shielded concrete curing.
What is the minimum land size for a cancer hospital?
8–16 kanals for a 100-bed comprehensive facility; 2–4 kanals for a radiation-only centre.
Do you provide medical physicist services for LINAC shielding?
ACCO coordinates with qualified medical physicists for PNRA-approved shielding calculations and commissioning tests.
Can I build a cancer hospital in phases?
Yes. Common phasing: Phase 1 (chemo day-care + OPD) → Phase 2 (LINAC + radiation) → Phase 3 (surgical + inpatient).
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📞 Plan Your Cancer Hospital with ACCO
Ahmed Construction Company (ACCO)
Office 2, 3rd Floor, Bigcity Plaza, Gulberg-III, Lahore, Pakistan
📞 0322-8000190 | ✉️ info@acco.com.pk | 🌐 acco.com.pk
