Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra today gave a detailed reply in Punjab Vidhan Sabha explaining the various initiative of the Punjab Government to eliminate the menace of cancer from the state. Giving reply to the question of Mr. Rajneesh Kumar, MLA, the Minister said that under Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh, financial assistance up to Rs. 1.50 lakh is being provided for thetreatment to each cancer patient under this scheme. All those Cancer patients who are resident of the Punjab State are eligible under this scheme.The Minister said that for the treatment under Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh scheme nine government and nine private hospitals have been empanelled by the state government. Divulging the detail he said that under this scheme Govt. Medical College & Hospital Amritsar, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Patiala, Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Faridkot, AIIMS New Delhi, PGI Chandigarh, G.M.C.H. Sector 32 Chandigarh, AcharyaTulsi Regional Cancer Hospital, Bikaner, Hombi Bhaba RT Facility, Sangrur, Advanced Cancer Diagnostic& Treatment Centre, Bathinda (all government hospitals) and CMC, Ludhiana, DMC Ludhiana, Max Super Specialty &Cardic Hospital, (Mohali), Max Bathinda, Indus Super Speciality Hospital, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar (Mohali), Patel Hospital, Jalandhar, Sri Guru Ramdass Charitable Hospital, Amritsar, Capitol Hospital, Jalandhar, Mohan Dai Oswal Cancer Hospital (all private hospitals) have been empanelled.
The Minister further said that National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases & Stroke (NPCDCS) has already been implemented in the state under which facility for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer is available. Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that State Government has provided 120 Anti-Cancer drugs used in treatment of cancer patients at the rates lower than the market rates, and some of these drugs are available at a cost 80% less than the market rates. In addition to this, the test required for cancer patient, other methods of treatment like Radiotherapy, Surgery etc. are available at a cost lesser than market rates and in some cases lesser than the (CGHS) rates of Govt. of India. He said that Government of Punjab has established Cancer and Drug De-addiction Treatment Infrastructure fund (CADA) Act 2013 for providing better prevention & treatment facilities to cancer patients. He said that for the prevention of cervical cancer, HPV Vaccine has been introduced in the state.The Vaccine is given to the 9672 girls of 11-13 years age groups. In the first phase, it was given to 6th class girls of all the government schools of districts Bathinda and Mansa which have highest prevalence of Cervical Cancer in the State.
"The Vaccine is to be given in the rest of the State in a phased manner." the Minister added.Highlighting the various other facilities being provided by the Punjab Government, Mr. Brahm Mohindra said that Homi Bhabha Cancer care Facility in District Hospital Sangrur has been established in collaboration with TMC, Mumbai. Likewise all Medical Colleges in the State have been provided with State of the Art equipment in the Department of Radiotherapy. He said that the Punjab Government is also setting up a 300 bedded cancer Hospital ' Bhabha Atomic Research Centre 'at Mullanpur (Medicity, New Chandigarh) with the collaboration of Tata Memorial Cancer Research Centre, Mumbai. Similarly State Cancer Institute is being established at Govt. Medical College, Amritsar in collaboration with Government of India. "With the joint Collaboration of Government of India and Government of Punjab (60%+40%) 50 bedded Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCC) are being established in districts of Hoshiarpur and Fazilka." said Mr. Brahm Mohindra.