Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has made announcement about the launching of free cancer treatment facilities, including chemotherapy and anti-cancer drugs, Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute.

While launching the new initiative of the State Health Department at the premier cancer institute of the region, Gogoi said that the scheme is a part of Assamese Government effort in order to perk up the healthcare system with the help of a slew of initiatives undertaken in the last few years.

“This scheme of providing anti-cancer drugs to the patients will give much-needed relief to them, as often patients find it difficult either to start or to continue the treatment because of the high cost of the drugs,” Mr. Gogoi added.

He also stated that with the availability of chemotherapy drugs for free in the cancer institute, which is well-equipped with the modern technology, the cancer patients do not have to go outside the State for treatment.

While appreciating the good work done by the institute, the CM said, “I am happy to know that patients who went outside for treatment has returned to this institute for further treatment.”

He guaranteed that the government will offer constant support to build up the institute into a well-equipped one for cancer treatment, research and training.

"It is indeed heartening to note that patients who had gone outside the state for treatment has returned to the Cancer Institute for further treatment and the government will continue to help develop the institute into a well-equipped one for cancer treatment, research and training," he said.

The State’s Health & Family Welfare Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the launching of free chemotherapy treatment was a red-letter day for the State, as no state had taken the same step up till now.

“Some of the drugs for the treatment of cancer are beyond the reach of the patients resulting in discontinuation of the same on account of which patients die early. A cancer patient has to spend about Rs.12 lakh for drugs comprising six cycles of doses alone leave aside treatment and other expenses. But now with the free chemotherapy treatment in the institute, the three medical colleges and Cachar Cancer Hospital, patients will get the much-needed respite,” he said

Mr. Sarma also declared that the Government would shortly launch a host of new plans including free post operative kidney transplant treatment, spectacles and hearing aid to poor people in the coming months.

It has already implanted 135 pacemakers free of cost to the patients, he added.