Health and Family Welfare Minister Damodar Rout on Tuesday said the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHRCC) in Cuttack would be converted into a centre of excellence in the eastern region of the country within two years.
After chairing a hospital management committee meeting here, Dr Rout said the cancer centre which caters to the need of the patients of several States like Andhra, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand, besides Odisha, would be upgraded into a centre of excellence with all latest facilities for the cancer patients soon. The Minister directed the concerned officials to speed up the construction of the multi-storied building of the centre soon.
The meeting discussed about increases in the strengths of doctors and paramedic staff of the AHRCC, financial assistance for its development, opening of ICUs and distribution of medicines to patients free of cost, besides approving the centre’s new bylaw.
The meting also decided that the retirement age of professors and doctors working under the State medical service cadre at the AHRCC would be increased to 65.
A sub-committee under the chairmanship of the Health Secretary was also constituted to ensure financial assistance for the centre’s development. The meeting also decided to regularise the jobs of the nurses who complete six years of service.