Foundation stone of cancer hospital laid in Ranchi

The foundation stone of a cancer hospital, being set up by the Jharkhand government with assistance from the Tata Trusts, was laid here on Saturday.

The Ranchi Cancer Hospital and Research Center will come up within 12 to 18 months.

State Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan Tata laid the foundation stone of the hospital.

"After two years, patients will not have to go outside the state after construction of this hospital. I know the difficulty and pain of the people who have to go outside for treatment," Das said at the programme.

During the state's business summit "Momentum Jharkhand, 2017", the chief minister had urged Tata for construction of a cancer hospital here.

The Tatas spend 80 per cent of its profits on welfare programmes and the industry should take inspiration from the Tata house, Das said.

Tata Trust Chairman Ratan N Tata said the project of this scale has not been undertaken in India and the world.

"It would be our hope that in 20/30 years, we will help the government reduce the deaths caused by cancer. The road is not easy but the goal is achievable. North-East India is known for high number of cancer patients and I hope the hospital here in Ranchi will play a major role in this part of the country," he said.