To provide diagnostic facilities and treatment of cancer patients across the State, Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal on Friday approved a comprehensive plan of nearly Rs 300 crore to equip Government medical college hospitals in Patiala, Amritsar, Faridkot, besides cancer hospital at Bathinda, with super specialty facilities.
The decision was taken at a meeting with top brass of the departments of Health & Family Welfare and Medical Education & Research here.
Badal said that paucity of funds would not be allowed to hamper the State’s mission to provide the best available treatment to cancer patients. “None of the cancer patient would be deprived of the best medical care in the State and would be provided the best treatment at these hospitals equipped with latest medical care, research and diagnostic facilities”, he said.
The Chief Minister also gave nod to the recruitment of highly qualified and experienced faculties in nuclear medicine, surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiotherapy at these government medical college hospitals, besides the installation of latest equipment in departments of radio diagnosis, blood transmission and pathology to ensure the best treatment and diagnostic facilities to cancer patients. He asked the Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare to put up a composite proposal in this regard for approval in the next Cabinet meeting on May 28.
Underscoring the need for training manpower to prepare them for treatment of cancer patients effectively, Badal agreed to the proposal mooted by Principal Secretary, Health to send the required staff at TATA Memorial Cancer Hospital Mumbai and PGIMER for training in the existing facilities in radiotherapy, surgery, medicine, pathology, gynecology for a period of three to six months at TMH.
The Chief Minister asked the principals of government medical college of Patiala and Amritsar to prepare a comprehensive plan for updating medical equipment and staff before the 14th Finance Commission for seeking requisite funds for the purpose. The principal, government medical college, Patiala told Badal that he had already sent a detailed proposal of Rs 165 crore for upgrading of medical equipment and infrastructure with an objective to make this prestigious medical institution at par with any of the country’s better medical & research hospitals.
The buildings of these hospitals would be designed to equip the best facilities and gadgets like lEDs, fridges, ACs, etc in the private rooms and wall paintings in the lobbies and verandas to give a serene feeling to the patients.
Badal also asked the Principal Secretary, Health to ensure that the entire medical equipment for upgrading cancer treatment wings of these medical colleges is purchased through the Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai.