PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

PORT BLAIR

11th October 2005

Islands to have Regional Cancer Centre

    The Lt. Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Prof. Ram Kapse has approved the setting up of a Regional Cancer Centre in the islands as per the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The proposed Cancer Care Centre will have facilities such as Radiotherapy, Surgery, Gynecology, ENT, Radiation, Oncology, Medical Oncology, Nuclear Therapy, Anatomy, Pathology, Cytopathology, Hematology, Bio-Chemistry and Radio Diagnosis.

   The Government of India will provide a sum of Rs. 5 crores for setting up these institutes for a period of 10 years. The amount will be the one time financial assistance for the development of cancer treatment which includes purchase of equipment relating to cancer control research, construction for housing the equipment and cancer wards.

   In this connection, a Memorandum of Understanding will soon be signed between the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the A&N Administration. The validity of the MOU will be for a period of 10 years. The proposed Regional Cancer Care Centre will work as Nodal agency for the District Cancer Control Programme and decentralizing NGO scheme, early detection and supportive services of cancer for which necessary funds will be provided from the National Cancer Control Programme of the Ministry.

   Initially, the Health Department has drawn up a proposal for setting up an exclusive cancer ward of 20 beds at an estimated cost of Rs. 120 lakhs and the scheme is being sent to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and NCCP Unit for approval.

   Presently, there is no Oncology Unit available in A&N Islands and patients suffering from cancer and other related diseases are referred to Regional Cancer Centre, Adyar, Chennai or Chitranjan Cancer Institute, Kolkata for specialized investigation and treatment. Setting up of Cancer Centre will help such patients to receive treatment in the islands itself thus minimizing their expenditure incurred on chemo and radiotherapy in the mainland on a quarterly basis.