Rs 25-crore fund set up for cancer treatment
The State Government has set up a Rs 25-crore fund for the treatment of children afflicted with cancer.
Medical Education Minister S A Ramdas said at a press meet that the fund would meet the treatment expenses of children from economically weaker sections of society. “Poor parents are finding it difficult to meet the chemotherapy expenses of their children suffering from cancer. The objective of the fund is to help such parents. Contributions would be collected from philanthropists for the fund soon,” he said. The minister donated Rs five lakh to the fund on behalf of ‘Aasare,’ a voluntary organization of which he is the trustee.
Ramdas said that a special treatment unit would be set up at Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Diseases in association with ‘Cure-2 Children’ of Italy for thalassemia patients.
About 2,000 children suffer from thalassemia in the State and each had to spend at least Rs 2,000 per month for treatment. Ramdas said the quantum of assistance to the proposed centre would soon be decided.
The minister said generic drug house, rest house and food courts would be set up in all the district hospitals across the State. The process has been set in motion at six hospitals including Victoria, Bowring and Vanivilas Hospitals. Approvals would be given on the basis of number of beds in the hospital.
“A paramedical and nursing university would be set up in the State. The draft regulations for the proposed university is ready and the Governor has suggested to issue an ordinance,” Ramdas said.
