GUWAHATI, Feb 3 - The Assam government today signed a historic MoU with Tata Trusts for a comprehensive cancer care programme, under which 18 district hospitals will have cancer care units by next year.
State Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said a joint venture non-profit company will be set up under the MoU to implement the programme.
�Tata Trusts have committed an amount of Rs 802 crore, while the State government will provide around Rs 1,000 crore,� Sarma said, addressing the MoU signing ceremony at the Advantage Assam summit here.
All district hospitals will have L3 level cancer care units, while medical colleges will have L2 level and one L1 level hospital will be set up in Guwahati. Every level will have advanced radiology and medical intervention, while L2 and L1 level hospitals will have surgical intervention.
Sarma said Tata Trusts is contacting firms with advanced technology to implement the project.
�We will need 12-14 months to complete the buildings. By next year, eighteen hospitals will have the units. It will benefit lakhs of patients,� he said.
Natarajan Chandrasekaran, chairman of the board of Tata Sons, said the project is not about building a new hospital but to address the issue of cancer care in the entire length and breadth of Assam.
�It is a unique opportunity for us. We hope it will be a reality within a short span of time and will touch so many lives in future,� he said.
Describing the MoU as a significant day in the history of the health department of Assam, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said it would keep the health of the people of the State well guarded.
