Centre Lauds Assam Govt’s Cancer Care Initiative

HT Bureau

GUWAHATI, May 5: The largest cancer treatment network in Southeast Asia launched in Assam to provide state-of-the-art and affordable medical care to cancer patients in collaboration with Tata Trust has been lauded in a ‘Swasthya Chintan Shibir’ organised by the Central Council for Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW) at Ekta Nagar in Kevadia near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat on Thursday. On the inaugural day of the program held as part of the 14^th conference of the CCHFW, Assam Health minister Keshab Mahanta elaborated the visionary steps taken by Assam to prevent spreading of cancer throughout the northeastern region under the efforts of ‘Assam Cancer Care Foundation’. The first discussion of the ‘Swasthya Chintan Shibir’ was held on Thursday evening in presence of Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, MoS for Chemicals and fertilisers and Dr Bharti Praveen Pawar, another MoS. Health ministers and top officials from 25 states participated in the camp. Keshab Mahanta asserted in the camp that the cancer hospitals built by Assam govt in collaboration with the Tata Trust has given the state a status of ‘hub of modern cancer treatment’ in the entire Southeast Asia. The Union Health minister appreciated the move taken by Assam to provide relief to cancer patients.

It may be recalled that the three-day long conference of the Central Council for Health and Family Welfare started on Thursday at Narmada Tent City-2 at Ekta Nagar, Kevadia. Gujarat chief minister Bhupendrabhai Patel officially inaugurated the conference on Thursday afternoon. The first discussion of the Health Chintan Camp was held on Thursday evening in the presence of minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Dr Mansukh Mandaviya and minister of State Dr Bharti Praveen Pawar as well as health ministers and top officials from 25 states. Later, in a discussion on the issue at the conference, health ministers of states including the Union Health minister appreciated the move taken by Assam to provide relief to cancer patients.

Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Admiral D K Joshi, Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry secretary Rajesh Bhushan and senior officials of the health department of the states were also present in the function. Health and Family Welfare secretary of Assam Avinash Joshi and NHM, Assam director of operations Dr MS Lakshmipriya also accompanied Keshab Mahanta in the program.