Don’t miss the latest developments in business and finance.

Punjab govt okays Rs 300 crore plan to fight cancer

Image
Press Trust of India Chandigarh
Last Updated : May 17 2013 | 6:15 PM IST
Punjab government today approved a Rs 300 crore plan to upgrade equipment for treatment and diagnosis of cancer at state medical colleges with Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal saying he wanted to wipe out the disease from the state.
According to the proposal, treatment and diagnostic facilities at medical colleges at Patiala, Amritsar and Faridkot along with Bathinda cancer hospital, will be upgraded to super-speciality levels.
The decision was taken by Badal during a meeting with officials of the state health and family welfare and medical education departments, a spokesman said.
Reiterating his commitment to stamping out cancer from the state, Badal said paucity of funds would not be allowed to affect his government's mission against the disease.
"No cancer patient would be deprived of the best medical facilities (for being in) a state of penury.
"They would be provided the best treatment at hospitals equipped with latest medical care, research and diagnostic facilities," Badal said.

Also Read

A state government report says, 34,430 people in Punjab have lost their lives to cancer related diseases in the past five years, while 24,659 people in the state are suffering from the disease and another 87,403 people have symptoms of cancer.
Badal also cleared a proposal for recruitment of highly qualified and experienced faculty in nuclear medicine, surgical oncology, medical oncology and radiotherapy at government medical colleges.
He asked the principal secretary of health and family welfare to draw up a composite proposal regarding purchase of advanced equipment and place the same for approval of the Cabinet at its next meeting on May 28.
Badal also agreed to a proposal that designated staff be sent to Mumbai's Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital and PGIMER here for training in cancer treatment.
The CM asked the principals of Patiala and Amritsar government medical colleges to prepare a comprehensive plan for upgrading of medical equipment and staff for submission to the 14th Finance Commission with a view to securing funds.

More From This Section

First Published: May 17 2013 | 6:15 PM IST

Next Story