Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik extends free chemo for cancer patients to all district headquarter hospitals. Earlier it was available in 13 districts.
Odisha has scripted a new healthcare story by making free cancer treatment available to patients in all its districts. Today we launched the district cancer care programme across all district headquarter hospitals.
Patients from Odisha will no longer have to travel from far flung villages and tribal areas to the prominent cities, mainly the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre at Cuttack for treatment. Cancer requires regular treatment. By getting treatment in their own area, they will be spared of the severe hardship and financial burden.
“I am happy to share that all the expenses on diagnosis and treatment of our patients will be borne by the state from its own resources. It is my commitment to ensure advanced treatment and services to the people at their doorsteps. In the next two years, state-of-the-art Radiotherapy units will be established at a cost of Rs 40-50 crore each at Nabarangpur, Jharsuguda, Angul and Capital Hospital Bhubaneswar. A state-wide programme will also be launched soon for awareness creation and early detection at community level,” said CM Naveen Patnaik.
“I am thankful to senior oncologist Dr Dinesh Pendharkar for mentoring district cancer care programme. He is not charging any fee for his association. In the first phase implemented in 13 districts, around 5,000 patients have availed treatment. I am sure the expansion to all districts will provide succour to patients & transform healthcare scenario in state,” said CM Naveen Patnaik.
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