Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

Bid to tackle manpower crisis in cancer care

By Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, March 7 - Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today said the cancer care facility in the State would take a leap in the next two years although skilled manpower crunch, including doctors, in the field of oncology continues to be a problem.

Replying to a question during Question Hour, he said the government is ready to rope in doctors from Assam working outside even if that requires payment of extra financial incentives. He told the House that merely constructing buildings in the name of cancer hospital would not serve the purpose as the State lacks in skilled manpower to run them efficiently.

�We are starting new courses in surgery oncology, medicine oncology and radio oncology at the GMCH to overcome the shortage of specialised doctors,� Sarma said, adding that it will take another two to three years for the GMCH to produce such manpower. �We are also in touch with the Adyar Cancer Institute for training of doctors and a memorandum of understanding will also be signed with Tata Memorial so that facilities of a cancer grid can be availed,� he added.

The Minister also added that the government will soon form a recruitment board comprising principals of all the medical colleges to facilitate recruitment of doctors, which will also mean that the APSC will no longer have a say on this.

Next Story