Shimla: In an effort to improve cancer treatment facilities, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated a new five-story tertiary cancer hospital building at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla, constructed at a cost of Rs. 13.50 crore.
This new facility will significantly enhance cancer treatment capabilities in the state, expanding bed capacity from 20 to 65.
According to an ANI report, the Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to offer world-class cancer treatment by adopting the latest medical technologies. The IGMC would soon be equipped with advanced radiation therapy systems, including Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT). A CT Simulator machine worth Rs. 7.77 crore had already been installed, and commissioning was in progress.
Additionally, a LINAC machine costing Rs. 24 crore was also being set up and was expected to be operational by January 25, 2025, further advancing the facility's cancer treatment options.
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Sukhu also said that the state government had allocated Rs 20 crore for a PET scan machine to be installed in IGMC Shimla, which would aid in early cancer detection, a release said. "Cancer is curable when the right treatment is provided at the right time. To enhance cancer care, a centre of excellence is being established in Hamirpur district. Additionally, a state-level committee of leading cancer specialists has been formed to offer guidance on the latest treatment technologies and improve care," he stated, news agency ANI reported.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government was strengthening the healthcare sector through the 'Vyavastha Parivartan' initiative. He expressed concern over the increasing number of cancer cases in the state, stating that after the North-East, Himachal Pradesh had the highest cancer incidence. He said that the government was working diligently to provide the best healthcare services to the cancer patients.
Sukhu accused the previous BJP government of the state for neglecting the health infrastructure.
He said that the present government was improving the infrastructure and recruiting doctors and paramedical staff to meet global standards for doctor-patient and nurse-patient ratio. He added that within the next year, IGMC Shimla and Tanda Medical College would become the top medical institutions, with infrastructure improvements also planned for other medical colleges across Himachal Pradesh.
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