Cancer institute at Amritsar to be ready by June 30: OP Soni

AMRITSAR : Punjab State Cancer Institute, the first-ever advanced high-tech cancer treatment institute in the state, will be completed by June 30 this year, the state’s minister for medical education and research OP Soni said on Monday.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Rs 120crore institute was signed between the Punjab government and the Centre in 2014.

The institute is being constructed at Government Medical College (GMC), Amritsar.

The Guru Nanak Dev Hospital (GNDH) attached with the GMC has a separate cancer treatment wing, but it lacks high-tech equipment for treating the disease.

“Over 80% of the construction of state cancer institute has been completed and the rest of the work is expected to be done by June 30, 2021. Once launched, people would not have to go to PGI or Delhi for cancer treatment. Modern machines will be installed and all tests will be provided,” Soni said.

He also conducted a meeting with officials of Punjab government on expediting work on the institute.

“A solar system would also be installed in the medical colleg on the pattern of Guru Nanak Dev Hospital. Three new medical colleges are being set up at Mohali, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur and the construction work of Mohali Medical College has started. Due to the increase of 150 MBBS seats, a new infrastructure is being developed,” Soni added.

Medical education principal secretary DK Tewari said, “Around Rs 60.3 crore is being spent on the upgrade of GMC Amritsar for development works, including hostels, multilevel parking, Trauma Centre and the repair of Bebe Nanaki Block. All these works will be completed within the next six months and Amritsar Medical College will provide even better medical facilities and treatment.”