Punjab CM inaugurates IPD services in Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre

Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said that the state government will soon start mobile vans for early detection of cancer in villages across the state. After inaugurating the IPD services in the Homi Bhabha Memorial Cancer Hospital in New Chandigarh, the CM said that it is the need of the hour to combat the fatal disease of cancer. He added that these vehicles will help in early detection of the disease thereby saving many lives in the state.

The CM said that though people are little sceptical in getting themselves diagnosed, the state government is committed to ensure that diagnosis happens as it is the only way to keep check the disease effectively.

Mann said that these ‘health check on wheels’ will be instrumental in carving a healthy and progressive Punjab. Expressing concern over the rising cases of Hepatitis C, he said that the vehicles will also help in ensuring diagnosis and treatment of this disease too.

Claiming to make the state hub of medical education, the CM said, “The day is not far when the state will soon become a lighthouse for others in medical education.” As a result he said students won’t have to go to countries like Ukraine and it will help in tackling brain drain. “The state government is setting up 16 new medical colleges across Punjab with an aim to ensure that people get quality medical treatment in the state,” the CM said.

Lauding the Tata group for exemplary service to humanity, the CM said that Tata symbolises dedication and is known world over for this quality. He said that the Tata Memorial Hospital at Sangrur and New Chandigarh is offering world class facilities to the patients which is a real boon for the state. Mann described Dr RA Badwe as a beacon of hope for better and quality health services and patients in the country. The CM spoke of the Rs 42 crore fund given by the state government for Sangrur cancer hospital.

Earlier, the Chief Minister launched the IPD services in the hospital and had detailed deliberations with the patients on the fourth floor. He said that OPD was started last year adding that this institute with a capacity of 300 beds has emerged as the hub of advanced cancer treatment. The CM said that as per commitment of the state government to wipe out the curse of cancer from the state, the Punjab government has given 52 acres of its prime land, free of cost to the hospital.

The CM said that the state government contributes an annual maintenance grant of Rs 2 crore in the hospital. He said that it is a historic day as three MOUs have been signed with the Tata Memorial centre by the state government. Bhagwant Mann said that the first MoU has been signed between the health department and Tata Memorial Hospital to strengthen the health care facilities across the state especially for Comprehensive Cancer Care Services by imparting training to Government Hospital Staff by TMC.