Team Herald
Panjim: The foundation stone for a 110-bedded tertiary cancer centre, claiming to be biggest in the Konkan region, was laid on Friday. The Rs 120 crore facility is expected to be completed within 18 months.
The hospital, to be built adjacent to the upcoming Super-Specialty block at Bambolim, will seek expertise from Tata Memorial Hospital. The facility would be built through Hospital Service Consultancy Corporation (HSCC).
The foundation stone was laid by Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in presence of South Goa MP Narendra Sawaikar, St Andre MLA Francis Silveira, St Cruz MLA Tony Fernandes and Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) vice chairman Siddharat Kuncolienkar.
On the occasion, the foundation stone for Rs 13 crore Day Care Centre of IPHB was also laid and an awareness program on ‘Swawlambhan’ scheme was also launched.
Addressing the gathering, Rane urged the people gathered to pray for the speedy recovery of Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is been ailing for last one year.
Rane said the project was a long pending dream of his and the Chief Minister that is now a reality with Central government’s backing. “I was feeling bad to see the cancer patients from Goa travelling to Mumbai, Belgum for treatment and medication,” he said.
Rane said that in next 18 months, cancer patients will get the best of the treatment in Goa itself.
Minister also said the government has tied up with YouWeCan, a cancer foundation set up by cricketer Yuvraj Singh that works towards early cancer detection. He said the Directorate of Health Services has signed MOU with the foundation, under which pre-breast cancer screening programmes will be held at village level.
During the event, Government also launched ten advanced life support ambulances under 108 service.
