Union Health Minister J P Nadda will soon lay foundation stones of two cancer hospitals at Fazilka and Hoshiarpur in Punjab and has issued instructions to expedite the proceedings so the work on these projects could start soon.
The decision was taken by Nadda during a meeting with Punjab Health Minister Surjit Kumar Jyani held here, an official release said.
Jyani said Punjab was providing free treatment to cancer patients in government as well as empanelled hospitals from Chief Minister's cancer relief fund.
There were estimated to have been than about 34,000 deaths due to cancer in the last few years while more than 20,000 persons were suffering from it, he added.
Stating that the state government was leaving no stone unturned to eliminate cancer, Jyani said cancer care units being set up at Fazilka and Hoshiarpur would prove a big relief to cancer patients.
Jyani accompanied by Secretary Health Vinni Mahajan also apprised Nadda of the measures being taken by the state to make the rural and urban health missions a big success.
After discussions over the issue, Nadda appreciated the strict compliance of Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PNDT) Act in Punjab and said the Center would extend full cooperation and assistance to the state in checking female foeticide.
Nadda also assured that the health-related issues of state pending with union government would also be sorted out on priority.
