Nagpur: National Cancer Institute will play an important role for a cancer-free India

Research is the only way to prevent diseases like cancer, and research institutes like National Cancer Institute NCI will play an important role for a cancer-free India, said Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari. He was addressing the inauguration ceremony of Dr. Abaji Thatte Service and Research Institute s National Cancer Institute- NCI  at outer Road Jamtha in Nagpur. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rahul Narvekar and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Dr. Mohan Bhagwat, NCI President Sunil Manohar, Vice President Ajay Sancheti, Chief Executive Officer Shailesh Joglekar and many dignitaries were present on the ocassion.

Shri Gadkari further said. “Then Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Public Works Minister Eknath Shinde during their last tenure, had given the gift of Nagpur-Mumbai Samrudddhi Highway to people. And now, they have given another gift, NIC to the common people of Maharashtra and I thank them for this valuable public service”

On this occasion, dignitaries lit the lamp and unveiled the cornerstone in the main building of the National Cancer Institute. The National Cancer Institute will provide preventive medical treatment and diagnosis of cancer. Gadkari that efforts should be made to collaborate with international advanced research on cancer to help for treatment in India. He also appreciated that this institute will also work on research and treatment on thalassemia and sickle cell which will benefit the patients of this disease in East Vidarbha.

Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, appreciated the high-class construction and infrastructure of the institute and expressed satisfaction about the State-of-the-Art facilities available.

Shri Shinde said that providing quality treatment for diseases like cancer is a challenge and the government is trying to provide these facilities cost-effectively. Government is giving relief to the distressed patients through Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana, Chief Minister's Medical Assistance Yojana etc.  If a disease like cancer is diagnosed, one has to pay his lifetime earnings, but in organizations like NCI, this treatment is available at a cost-effective rate and it will bring much relief to the patients, expressed Shinde.

Deputy Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said that, the Tata Hospital in Mumbai was providing facilities for patients, but due to the increasing number of patients, this hospital is under a lot of pressure. Hence, this National Cancer Institute is established especially for cancer patients in Central India. He further informed that, children are being treated free of charge in the 'Pediatric Ward'. Shri. Devendra Fadnavis said that efforts will be made to provide advanced systems like proton beam, carbon ion therapy in the field of cancer treatment at cost-effective rates in NCI.