Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday envisioned the State to be developed as a world-class hub of latest healthcare facilities and medical education and research in the upcoming Medicity at New Chandigarh.

Badal, addressing a gathering after inaugurating Asia’s first digital Max Orthopedic Suite in Mohali’s Max Hospital, said the Medicity would certainly boost medical tourism in the region.

He also solicited cooperation and support from Max Healthcare Group to invest in the upcoming Medicity besides envisaged investment in setting up a skill development Centre in the healthcare.

Badal felicitated the management of the Max hospital to establish digital suite for undertaking joint replacement and trauma care with highest level of accuracy.

Highlighting major initiatives taken by the State Government, the Chief Minister mentioned that Punjab had already been rated as excellent in the field of health infrastructure by the Central Government.

 “Upcoming Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center on the lines of Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai, would also prove to be a milestone in updating the skills of oncologists, radiographers and paramedics involved in the treatment of patients inflicted with cancer,” he said.

likewise, the advanced cancer treatment centers at Amritsar, Patiala, Faridkot and Bathinda with an outlay of Rs25 crore would also be made functional soon, he added.

He said: “Realising the hardships faced by the patients and their kin due to expensive treatment of cancer, our government is making humble efforts to help them through Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Fund...besides providing 118 anti-cancer drugs on affordable prices and 340 essential drugs to the patients free of cost in all government hospitals.”