Free Chemotherapy At District Hospitals In Odisha Soon

Bhubaneswar: To alleviate the sufferings of cancer patients, the Odisha government has joined hands with Tata Trusts to provide free chemotherapy treatment and other diagnostic facilities at all district headquarters of the state.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard was signed between the state health department and Tata Trusts at the State Secretariat here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, “My government has been taking proactive measures to improve cancer care in the state. Signing of the agreement with Tata Trusts aims at delivering quality affordable cancer care to the people from all walks of life.”

Under the comprehensive cancer care programme, a new Tata Memorial Hospital will be established in Bhubaneswar on the lines of that in Mumbai to extend improved cancer treatment to the patients. Besides, Acharya Harihar Hospital in Cuttack will be modernised soon.

Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata thanked the Chief Minister for giving the company an opportunity to work towards eradicating cancer in Odisha by providing effective treatment to the people, especially the poor.

Health minister Pratap Jena, chief secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi and development commissioner R Balakrishnan were present.