Sonowal inaugurates Cancer Hospital in Guwahati Medical College

The Assam CM and Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on Friday inaugurated the Cancer Hospital and also electronically unveiled the AMRIT Pharmacies in the five Medical Colleges of the state today at a function held in the GMCH Auditorium in the city.

Saying that dearth of quality doctors has been a cause of concern for the health sector of the state Sonowal said that three new medical colleges to be built in Dhubri, Nagaon and Lakhimpur for a cost of Rs 570 crore would be able to produce doctors in the coming years who would be able to cater to the huge demand of health care facilities at the far flung areas of the state.

Stating that this year’s state Budget has made increased fund allocation to health sector of the state Chief Minister Sonowal said that community ownership is a must if the government health institutions have to perform to their potential.

Urging the people to keep a close watch on the works of the government hospitals Sonowal said that public participation is of paramount importance to make the service delivery in government health institutions fully accountable.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda said that the Cancer Hospital would be accorded the status of a State Cancer Institute and the Central Government provide Rs 120 crore to the hospital which would be in addition to Rs 90 crore already earmarked for the institute.

Nadda also announced that free dialysis facility would be provided in all district hospitals of the state to below poverty line (BPL) families and all existing Medical Colleges in the state would be upgraded to Super Speciality Hospitals.

Saying that setting up of the AIIMS in Guwahati would be a huge fillip to the healthcare scenario of the state as well as the region Nadda said that rupees Rs 1000 crore has already been earmarked for the AIIMS.

Nadda also said that the AMRIT Pharmacies in the five Medical Colleges of the state Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Guwahati, Silchar and Barpeta would be able to provide essential medicines of heart ailments and other critical diseases in subsidised rates which would provide succour to the underprivileged sections of the society.

State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other top officials of the health department were present on the occasion.

(Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath)