Raj govt & Portugese institute sign MoU to set up cancer

Rajasthan government today signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with private Portuguese biomedical research organisation, Champalimaud Foundation, to set up a state-of-the-art cancer institute here.
The MoU was signed by Principal Secretary, Medical Education J C Mahanti and the foundation's Executive Director Joao Botelho in the presence of Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, who said the cancer center will benefit the state hugely, particularly those who cannot bear hefty cost of treatment.
"The cooperation in this regard will also bolster relations with Portugal," Raje said in a statement.
"People suffer a major psychological blow when they come to know about this disease. For laymen, its cure is expensive.

"Lots of people go to Mumbai and other places for treatment even though they cannot afford its cost and it is a very frightening experience for them. Now after the opening of the cancer institute in Jaipur, they will get good treatment here," she said.
Leonor Beleza, President of the Champlimaud Foundation said the institute will help people of the state immensely.
The state government has allotted 34,400 square meter land in the Rajasthan Health Science University premise at Pratap Nagar, Jaipur for the Institute.
The Champlimaud Foundation will extend technical support in designing the infrastructure of the center and also assist in finalising specifications and selection of equipments for diagnosis, treatment and research.