Govt plans ‘world-class’ cancer facility

The government plans to build a world-class cancer institute in Lucknow and land for the project has been earmarked, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav informed the Assembly on Wednesday.

Responding to Congress Legislature Party leader Pradeep Mathur, who raised the issue of absence of a cancer institute in the state, the Chief Minister said, "We understand the hardships faced by cancer patients. The treatment is costly and the expenses at good cancer institutes are quite high. We have planned to set up a world-class cancer institute in Lucknow. It is almost final and the land has been earmarked. The work will begin very soon."

He admitted that most cancer patients from the state have to go outside for treatment, like to the Tata Cancer Institute. "It is far away and involves extra expenditure. Cancer cases are on the rise, even those who do not consume tobacco are getting cancer," Akhilesh said.

The Chief Minister said the proposed cancer institute will offer diagnostic treatment and rehabilitation services. "All these three aspects are different and we need trained staff for each of them. The cancer institute will have every possible service for the patients," he said.

Akhilesh stated that district-level hospitals and medical colleges would be linked to the proposed cancer institute. "We can offer diagnostic services at district-level centres and thereafter the treatment will be done at the cancer institute," he said.

Earlier, raising the issue, Pradeep Mathur said, "Our people are poor and many of them cannot afford costly treatment at Mumbai. An advanced cancer institute will be of great help."

In reply to another question, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Azam Khan said the state government was contemplating to frame some laws to check private nursing homes.

"Private nursing homes are mushrooming everywhere. They don't even have proper ventilation, emergency exit and other basic features. We will bring in legislation to check such erring nursing homes," Azam said.

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