Expressing concern over increase in cases of cancer, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said here the UPA government is setting up a 'National Cancer Centre' to fight the dreaded disease.
In his brief address in Punjabi, the Prime Minister said that the National Cancer Centre will be linked with zonal and regional cancer centres.
He was addressing a gathering after laying the foundation stone of Rs 450 crore 'Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre' here on the outskirts of Chandigarh in Mohali district of Punjab.
The Mullanpur cancer hospital would be developed and established by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) on the lines of Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai at a cost of Rs 450 crore, with Prime Minister expressing hope that the project would be completed within next four years.
Singh said the UPA Government was committed to provide world class and affordable health care facilities to combat dreaded diseases like cancer.
"The government wants to provide affordable healthcare to all sections of the society particularly the weaker section," he said.
The Prime Minister said that as many as 27 regional cancer centres have been set up in the country under the National Cancer Control programme of the government.
Besides, Oncology department had been opened up in Medical colleges and regional cancer centres are being set up.
The Prime Minister said that under the centre's National Rural Health Mission, emphasis is being laid on early detection of cancer and its treatment.
"Cancer is one of the prime reason for deaths in the world," Singh said adding that around 13 per cent of deaths in the world take place due to cancer every year.
Out of the total deaths taking place in a year due to cancer, 70 per cent are in the developing countries, the Prime Minister said.
"Eleven lakh new cases of cancer are reported every year, while 9 lakh people die of this disease in the country each year and the number is increasing," he said.
Among others present at the occasion today included Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal.
