Government waiting for Centre's nod for regional cancer centres

Hyderabad: Medical and Health Minister Eatala Rajender said the State government has sent proposals to the Centre to establish Regional Cancer Centre at Warangal under National Programme for Cancer Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke' in December 2017.

Responding to a question raised by Gangadhar Goud, he said the Centre is yet to give its approval. However, if the Centre is not ready, the State government will be mulling to establish two Cancer Centres in the State on its own on the lines of MJN Cancer centre located in Hyderabad.

Terming that growing cancer cases is a concern across the world the, Health Minister said some hospitals at district headquarters already have the facilities to identify cervical cancer.

Earlier, no such centres were available except the MNJ cancer centre located in Hyderabad. Considering its importance, the Centre has given a grant of Rs 120 crore to it.

Besides, the Aurobindo Pharma had also come forward to provide Rs 60 crore to upgrade 250-bedded hospitals into 400-bedded one, he said.

The State government besides extending Aarogyasri to cancer patients is also providing Rs 100 crore per year though Chief Minister's relief fund for treatments availed at hospitals Indo American, Basavatharakam and other hospitals besides NIMS, he said.

Also, steps are being taken to deploy necessary technology in medical colleges hospitals located in Warangal, Khammam, Suryapet, besides, territory hospitals associated to them on the lines of MNJ cancer hospital, he said.

Further, the State government has started eight palliative centres each with 10 beds to take care of the persons with cancer in their last stages of life.

Each of these centres has also provided a vehicle. Rajender said the State government is also planning to establish 22 more such centres providing vehicles to each of them.