Envisioning the State as the best cancer treatment destination not only in the country but even across the globe with the `450 crore super specialty Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC), Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Monday said the State Government had already declared a war against the menace of cancer.
Addressing a public gathering on the unveiling of foundation plaque for HBCHRC by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the newly developed Medicity here, the Chief Minister said that the objective of the state government was to eliminate cancer with all out efforts.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister for taking personal interest in expeditiously clearing the project, the Chief Minister said that this ultra modern cancer project would synergize the State Government’s efforts to upgrade the cancer treatment facilities in Punjab especially with the setting up of advanced cancer treatment centers in Government Medical Colleges at Amritsar, Patiala and Faridkot at a cost of `300 crore besides 100-bedded cancer hospital in Bathinda under the auspices of Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), Mumbai.
Badal said that the State Government had already created a dedicated fund of `300 crore to enable the cash patients for treatment upto `1.50 lakh. He also announced that from the January 1, the State Government would launch a cashless treatment scheme to provide the best cancer care facilities to the patients in 16 empanelled hospitals.
lauding the Prime Minister as a ‘son of the soil’ for giving special projects to the State, especially in the healthcare and education sector, Badal said that the Government of India has rated Punjab has excellent in Health sector and adjudged first in the education.
The Chief Minister also thanked Director TMC, Dr RA Badwe for providing valuable support to the state government in its pursuit to give the best cancer treatment in the country. He also complimented the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), GoI for their keen interest and support to this project.
Badal honored the Prime Minister with a sword, shawl and a replica of Sri Darbar Sahib, Amritsar.
Punjab Governor Shivraj V Patil and Health Minister Mr. Surjit Kumar Jiyani also shared the dais. lok Sabha MP from Anandpur Sahib Ravneet Singh Bittu welcomed the Prime Minister.
Most of the Cabinet ministers of Punjab, several MPs and MlAs besides the officials were present on the occasion.