Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Announces Free Cancer Treatment and Medicines
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 5: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced that cancer patients in the state will receive free treatment and medicines. The state government will provide 42 essential medicines at no cost in government hospitals.
During the first meeting of the State Advisory Board on Cancer and Palliative Care Program, the Chief Minister highlighted that Himachal Pradesh has the second-highest number of cancer cases in India. To address this, the government will offer free medicines, including the expensive Trastuzumab vaccine for breast cancer, which costs around Rs 40,000 per dose. Each patient requires 18 doses annually, costing the government about seven lakh rupees per patient.
Additionally, the Chief Minister approved Rs. 300 crore to enhance cancer treatment facilities. This includes Rs. 75 crore for the Center of Excellence in Cancer Care in Hamirpur, Rs. 75 crore for a bone marrow transplant facility in Chamiyana, Shimla, and Rs. 150 crore for advanced cancer treatment equipment in Hamirpur.
The state government is also setting up cancer day care centers in phases. The first phase includes 13 hospitals, the second phase will cover 27 high-load civil hospitals and community health centers, and the third phase will include 28 institutions. Palliative care units will be part of these centers.
The Cancer Care Centre of Excellence in Hamirpur will feature world-class technology, including a nuclear medicine department with a large capacity nuclear lab and cyclotron. Bone marrow transplantation will also be available at the Atal Institute Of Medical Super-Specialities in Chamiyana, Shimla.
A population-based cancer registry will be initiated to study cancer cases, starting with a pilot project in one district. Health Minister Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil, Health Secretary M Sudha Devi, and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Doubts Revealed
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and cool weather.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in a state in India.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu -: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, the person in charge of the state government.
Cancer -: Cancer is a serious illness where cells in the body grow uncontrollably and can spread to other parts of the body.
Trastuzumab -: Trastuzumab is a special medicine used to treat a type of cancer called breast cancer. It is very expensive.
Rs. 300 crore -: Rs. 300 crore is a large amount of money, equal to 3 billion rupees, which is being used to improve cancer treatment facilities.
Center of Excellence -: A Center of Excellence is a special place where experts work to provide the best care and treatment for patients.
Hamirpur -: Hamirpur is a town in Himachal Pradesh where a new Center of Excellence for cancer treatment will be built.
Bone marrow transplant -: A bone marrow transplant is a medical procedure where damaged bone marrow is replaced with healthy bone marrow, often used to treat cancer.
Chamiyana, Shimla -: Chamiyana is a place in Shimla, the capital city of Himachal Pradesh, where a new bone marrow transplant facility will be set up.
Cancer day care centers -: Cancer day care centers are places where cancer patients can go for treatment during the day and return home afterward.
Population-based cancer registry -: A population-based cancer registry is a system that collects and keeps track of information about cancer cases in a specific area to help understand and control the disease better.
