Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced the free provision of medicines for cancer patients. The state government has planned to provide 42 medicines for free to cancer patients receiving treatment at government hospitals. The announcement was made during the first meeting of the State Advisory Board on Cancer and Palliative Care Program. In India, Himachal Pradesh ranks second in regions facing the highest number of cancer patients.
Various government hospitals aim to provide facilities and relief to cancer patients. The government is investing to improve the cancer improvement infrastructure while also providing life-saving medicines like the Trastuzumab vaccine. Phased openings of cancer daycare centers are being carried out by the state government of Himachal Pradesh to increase access to cancer treatment. In the first phase, thirteen centers have been established. In the second phase, 27 more centers in high-load civil hospitals and community health centers are scheduled to open, and in the third phase 28 more centers. To offer patients complete support these centers will also have palliative care units.
Additionally, the government is planning to launch a population-based cancer registry that will aid in studying cancer cases and trends within the state, beginning with a pilot project in a district for screening cancer.
