Odisha: Free cancer treatment at all district headquarter hospitals

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik launched free cancer treatment facilities for all district headquarter hospitals across the state through video-conferencing from Bhubaneswar.

CM said patients from rural and tribal areas will mainly benefit from the scheme to be implemented from the State Government’s own resources.

Earlier, free cancer treatment was available in 13 district headquarters hospital including Capital Hospital, Bhubaneswar and Government Hospital at Rourkela. Now, cancer patients would be able to avail free chemotherapy and consultation at district headquarters hospitals.

Radiotherapy centres will be set up at Nabarangpur, Jharsuguda, Angul and the Capital Hospital at a cost of Rs 40 to Rs 50 crore each in next two years, the CM said and added that as treatment will be available near their house, it will reduce emotional and financial burden on patients.

The scheme will be run under the active supervision of Mumbai-based oncologist Dr Dinesh Pendharkar. The oncologist will be offering his services free to the State Government. The Government expects that the burden on Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHRCC), Cuttack will also be reduced with the introduction of the scheme at district headquarters hospitals.

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