Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azaad on Wednesday announced that of the 20 regional cancer centres, the Centre would set up one in Punjab. Speaking at the launch of the ‘National Free Drug and Iron Plus Initiative’ scheme at Amritsar Government Medical College, Azad announced that after Amritsar, the Patiala Medical College would also get a super-specialty hospital.
He said that the Centre had already spent `125 crore for establishing a ‘super specialty hospital’ at Amritsar Government Medical College, and “a similar hospital would also be set up at Medical College Patiala”. Azaad also said that out of 20 Regional Cancer centres to be established across the country by the Centre, one would be set up in State.
The Union Minister also lauded the role of State in curbing the Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate adding that efforts must be made to check the female foeticide. Azad also exhorted the people the play proactive role in checking the tendency of drug addiction in the State.