GUWAHATI, Nov 19 - City-based Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) celebrated its 46th foundation day on Monday.
The foundation day celebrations began with sweet distribution among patients admitted in the institute.
On the occasion, 40 employees of BBCI contributed and planted tree saplings in their children�s name to commemorate the occasion. A meeting was held in the afternoon, in which Director General of Police (DGP) Kula Saikia attended the same as the chief guest. Addressing the gathering, Dr Amal Chandra Kataki, Director of BBCI, highlighted the surge in the number of patients who underwent chemotherapy and surgery in the institute during the last financial year due to the government�s health insurance scheme �Ayushman Bharat�.
�Earlier, many patients could not complete their chemotherapy cycles and undergo surgery due to huge health expenditures. On account of the health insurance scheme, now, cancer patients from the underprivileged sections can undergo treatment without creating a financial burden on the families,� he said.
DGP Saikia, in his speech, emphasised the important role played by research and innovation in the field of cancer care.
Gilly Burn, who hails from the United Kingdom and is founder director of Cancer Relief India and director of Care Response International, also attended the event.
She recalled the evolution of palliative care in Assam. Burn is associated with palliative care in the State since 1995.
Awards of appreciation were presented on the occasion to Cipla Foundation, Artscape, the University of Science and Technology, Meghalaya, Sanjeevani - Life Beyond Cancer, Jiv Daya Foundation, Cuddles Foundation, Khalsa Centre North East, Hare Krishna Movement and St Jude India Child Care Centre for their contribution to the institute.
