Assam State Cabinet Allocates INR 135 Cr to Establish 10 Cancer Hospitals Boosting Healthcare in Northeast India

With this allocation, 10 cancer hospitals to be constructed, three in the initial phase and seven in the subsequent phase.

The Assam State Cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, has earmarked INR 135 Cr to build 10 cancer hospitals in the Northeast region of India. 

In the initial phase, three such hospitals will be constructed and seven in the subsequent stage. The first phase concentrated on establishing hospitals in Silchar, Guwahati, and Diphu. 

The second phase targeted creating seven more hospitals in Dhubri, Nalbari, Goalpara, Golaghat, Nagaon, Sivasagar, and Tinsukia.

The allocation is for the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF) with the precise aim of fortifying healthcare services, including the provisioning of vital supplies such as drugs, surgical items, consumables, and linens in government health institutions, extending even to Tea Garden hospitals. 

These healthcare initiatives are intended not only to expand healthcare services but also to create employment opportunities. It is expected that around 8,000 job opportunities would arise upon completion, thereby contributing to the regional economy.

The allocation included INR 133 Cr for 'Free Drugs and Consumables for Government Hospitals.' This initiative is geared towards enhancing healthcare accessibility, especially for those in need, encompassing Tea Garden hospitals. 

The scheme further ensured the provision of essential drugs, surgical items, consumables, linens, and more, free of charge in Government Health Institutions, guaranteeing that those requiring medical aid had access to it.

In a parallel development, the Guwahati Refinery and the Tata Cancer Care Foundation established an MoU to enhance the Silchar Cancer Centre in Assam. 

This collaborative effort sought to improve access to vital cancer treatment facilities in the community, supported by the Guwahati Refinery's significant financial contribution of INR 16.39 Cr for specialised medical equipment.

In other government initiatives, the Odisha government is gearing up to procure 70 ambulances for efficient patient transportation. This fleet will have 30 advanced life support (ALS) ambulances and 40 basic life support (BLS) ambulances.

These newly introduced ambulances will serve multiple purposes, including patient transfers for those benefiting from the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY), patient transportation to private healthcare facilities, and deployment for use in correctional facilities, for VIPs, and at special events.