hp-announces-free-treatment-medicines-for-cancer-patients

Himachal Pradesh will offer free treatment and medicines to cancer patients in government hospitals, announced Chief Minister Sukhu at the first meeting of the State Advisory Board on Cancer and Palliative Care Program. The state has added 42 cancer medicines, including the costly Trastuzumab vaccine, to its essential medicine list.

 

The state government will allocate Rs 300 crore to enhance cancer treatment facilities, including Rs 75 crore for the Center of Excellence in Cancer Care in Hamirpur and Rs 75 crore for a bone marrow transplant facility in Chamiyana, Shimla. Additionally, Rs 150 crore will be used to equip the Hamirpur centre with world-class cancer treatment technology.

 

The initiative also includes setting up cancer daycare centres across the state in phases, starting with 13 hospitals, and expanding to 27 high-load civil hospitals and 28 institutions. Palliative care units will be integrated into these centres.

 

A special department of nuclear medicine with a large-capacity nuclear lab and cyclotron will be established at the Cancer Care Centre of Excellence in Hamirpur. The Atal Institute of Medical Super-Specialities in Chamiyana will introduce a bone marrow transplant facility.

 

A population-based cancer registry will be initiated, with a pilot project in one district to screen for cancer cases.

 

The announcement comes in response to Himachal Pradesh having the second-highest number of cancer cases in the country, a matter of concern for the state. The meeting included Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil and other senior officials.