Foundation stone laid for Odisha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre

Cuttack: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone of Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Baranga area of Cuttack today in the presence of Tata Trusts Chairman Rata Tata. Both Odisha and Tata Trusts had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the proposed project in May last year.

"The State government has provided 15 acres of land for free of cost for the project. The first phase of the Centre will be commissioned in a year's time," CM Naveen said.

As per reports, the cancer hospital will be set up with the help of Tata Trusts and will be quite similar to the Tata Memorial hospital in Mumbai. The State government has allocated land in Nuasahi area of Ratagarh for the project.

“As a measure to decongest patient load, the State government has started cancer chemotherapy programme at district headquarters hospitals, Capital hospital and RGH Rourkela,” the Chief Minister added.

While the management rights will be in the hands of Tata Trusts, the hospital will be the hub for cancer treatment in eastern India. The 500-bed hospital will provide advance cancer treatment in surgical oncology, medical oncology, neuro-medicine, radiation therapy and chemotherapy.

"Cancer patients of Odisha won't have to go outside the State for treatment. We will spend nearly Rs 800 crore for the hospital and all kinds of facilities will be available there," Health Minister Pratap Jena said.