Soon after an announcement by Union Health Minster Gulam Nabi Azad that a state-level cancer research institute would be opened in Bilaspur, Chief Minister Raman Singh inaugurated the two-day National Conference of Oncologists here on Saturday at Dr Bheemrao Ambedkar Memorial Hospital. Nearly 250 Oncologists from all over the country are participating in this conference, organized by Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat chapter of Apricorn.
On the occasion, CM released the souvenir 2014 published by organising committee, and the book ‘Bharat, Bharatiya aur Cancer’ written by Dr Vivek Choudhary, Director of Regional Cancer Institute. Agriculture Minister Brijmohan Agrawal presided over the programme.
As a Chief Guest of the occasion, CM Singh said that treatment of critical disease like cancer is very challenging. Other than the modern medical treatment facilities, cure of cancer also requires the will-power of patients. Chief Minister said that better facilities of cancer diagnosis and treatment are now available in Chhattisgarh. This is the reason why Chhattisgarh is emerging as an important centre for cancer diagnosis and treatment. CM Singh said that soon a state-level cancer research institute would be opened in Bilaspur. On request of Union Minister of Health, State Government has decided to start this institute worth Rs 145 crores. Not only the people of Chhattisgarh, but also the patients from neighbouring states would be benefitted by the advanced facilities offered by this institute, said Dr Singh.
On the occasion, Chief Minister awarded ‘lifetime Achievement Award’ to Dr MS Gujaral, Ex-professor of Indore Medical College, for his important works in the field of cancer treatment. During the programme, organising committee gave away several other awards as token of encouragement. Those awarded on the occasion includes Dr Shyam Shrivastava of Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai, Dr GK Rath of AIIMS New Delhi, Padmashree Award Winner Dr AT Dabke, Dr AK Sharma, Dr NK Goyal, Dr Subeer Mukherjee, Dr Ashok Chandrakar, Dr AP Pandarha, Dr PK Patra, and Additional Chief Secretary of Health and Family Welfare Department Ajay Singh. The programme was conducted by Dr Arvind Neral and the vote of thanks was proposed by Dr SK Azad.