Assam took another giant step in the healthcare sector by becoming the first State to lay the foundation stone of as many as 19 cancer hospitals in a single day and to make cancer treatment and care affordable for all sections of the people, particularly the poor and the marginalised. BJP national president Amit Shah and Tata Trusts Chairman Emeritus Ratan Tata laid the foundation stone of the 19 hospitals at a central function held at the Khanapara playground in Guwahati today (June 18) in the presence of Assam Chief Minsiter Sarbananda Sonowal, Finance and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh Pema Khandu and other invited dignitaries. Amit Shah, Ratan Tata and Chief Minister Sonowal also jointly lighted the lamp for the ground-breaking ceremony (Bhoomi Poojan) at Khanapara.
#JustIn: BJP President @AmitShah lays the foundation stone of 19 new cancer hospitals at the Khanapara playground in #Guwahati, #Assam, in the presence of Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata, Assam CM @sarbanandsonwal, Health Minister @himantabiswa and other invited dignitaries. pic.twitter.com/gsILXpaHvw
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 18, 2018
Hon Chief Guest Sri @AmitShah, HCM Sri @sarbanandsonwal & Sri @RNTata2000 join the lighting of the lamp for the ground breaking ceremony at #Guwahati for Govt of Assam & @tatatrusts #AssamCancerCare program@JPNadda @mygovassam pic.twitter.com/mnXWPNSu4I
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 18, 2018
Along with the central function, ground-breaking ceremonies were also performed at the 19 sites where the cancer hospitals which will be set up under the Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF) formed as part of an agreement between the Assam Government and the Tata Trusts.
Terming the day as a historic one, Assam Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the cancer hospitals, construction work of which will be completed in two years, will greatly benefit patients of Assam and the Northeast. He also announced that under the Samarth scheme which will be launched within the next three months, medical treatment of children below 14 years will become free.
#BREAKING: Today is a historic day for #Assam. Ayushman Bharat, Atal Amrit Abhiyan and now with the foundation laying of 19 new cancer hospitals, it's the beginning of another healthcare revolution in #Assam: Health Minister @himantabiswa
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 18, 2018
#BREAKING: Samartha #Assam scheme will be launched within the next three months under which treatment of children below 14 years will be made free: #Assam Health & Finance Minister @himantabiswa
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 18, 2018
Amit Shah congratulated the Assam Government and State Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in particular for taking the initiative and making cancer care affordable for all sections of people.
#BREAKING: #Assam had lagged behind during 15 years of Congress rule but has developed considerably in the past two years after BJP came to power: BJP President Amit Shah after laying the foundation stone of 19 cancer hospitals in #Guwahati
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 18, 2018
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal thanked Ratan Tata and Tata Trusts for partnering with the Assam Government and said his government is committed to working for the development of the State and hoped that the new hospitals will make cancer treatment affordable for all sections of people, particularly the poor and economically weaker strata of the society.
#BREAKING: The 19 new cancer hospitals will help people of the Northeast, especially cancer patients and their families coming from economically weaker sections of society: #Assam CM @sarbanandsonwal after central foundation laying ceremony of 19 cancer hospitals in #Guwahati
— NEWS LIVE (@NewsLiveGhy) June 18, 2018
Tata Trusts Chiarman Ratan Tata also lauded the steps taken by the Assam Government to make cancer care affordable to the people.
Sri @RNTata2000 spoke of @tatatrusts commitment to make cancer care inclusive. Since its inception, Tata Trusts has played a pioneering role in transforming traditional ideas of charity and introducing the concept of philanthropy to make a real difference to communities. pic.twitter.com/3rIBPncPJi
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) June 18, 2018
