Describing Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre as a supreme gift by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Wednesday gave enough indications to Modi seeking a financial package for the border state, especially for health and education. “We are hopeful you will give some gift to Punjab,” said the Chief Minister Mann, addressing the gathering after the inauguration of Cancer Hospital.
Mann, in his address, also raised the issue of alleged security lapse on January 5 this year, saying that it was sad that the Prime Minister had to return then. “Narendra Modi is the Prime Minister of the country...It is our duty to make complete arrangements...Punjab has always been known for its hospitality,” said Mann. However, during his address, the Prime Minister did not make any mention of Ferozepur visit.
Seeking Centre’s help, Mann said that Punjab needed a lot right now at the level of health. “Health and education is our priority. Our children have started considering IELTS as a degree. We are trying to get them a job here only,” he said.
Hailing the cancer hospital as a ‘hub of cancer care and treatment in the region’ along with the 100-bed hospital in Sangrur, Mann rued that cancer spread in Punjab due to increased use of chemical fertilizers. “Green Revolution brought cancer to Punjab,” he said.
“In common parlance, the Punjabis are even afraid of taking the name of cancer as its treatment is too costly. But this Centre will go a long way in ensuring accessible and affordable cancer treatment to the region,” said the Chief Minister while thanking the Prime Minister for this project. It will help the cancer-affected state, especially Malwa region, in combating this fatal disease effectively, he added.
The Chief Minister, addressing the gathering during a function to dedicate this project to the nation by the Prime Minister, said that this is a historic initiative which will help the State in its crusade against cancer.
He said that though the state has played a key role in making the country self-reliant in food production but due to excessive use of pesticides and insecticides Punjabis have fallen prey to cancer disease. He categorically said that this hospital will not only provide treatment to cancer-inflicted patients but will also help in ensuring its prevention through extensive research.
The Chief Minister expressed satisfaction that the 100-bedded Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital at Sangrur has been imparting quality cancer treatment to the people. He asserted that around 37,000 patients have been successfully treated so far in this premier hospital.
Mann unequivocally said that the newly set up Centre at New Chandigarh will be a milestone in providing quality cancer treatment not only to the patients from Punjab but to neighbouring states like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan also.
The Chief Minister further revealed that as Member of Parliament, he was entitled to refer three critical needy patients to big hospitals every month for treatment under Prime Minister’s relief fund. “I judiciously utilised this facility for ameliorating the sufferings of several cancer patients during eight years,” he said adding that the State Government has, so far, given Rs 888 crore to nearly 69,000 cancer patients under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He also solicited fulsome support and cooperation from the Union Government for effectively checking the cross-border smuggling of drugs and arms through drones. He emphasised that Punjab is fighting the nation's war and the Union Government must extend support to Punjab for this noble cause. Mann expressed hope that the Prime Minister will magnanimously help the state with more such gifts.