The Odisha government and Tata Trusts have inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the establishment of a cancer treatment and research hospital in Bhubaneswar.
As part of the MoU, the Tata Trusts will set up and manage the state-of-the-art cancer treatment and research hospital in the state capital while the Odisha government will facilitate in setting up the centre by providing land to the extent of 25 acres, free of cost according to MoneyControl.
The official statement disclosed that the sum of Rs 800 crore has been allocated for the execution of the project for the next five years.
Out of 800 crore, the state government's share will be Rs 500 crore, while Tata Trusts have committed Rs 300 crore.
The priorities of Odisha’s cancer care programme will be delineated by an advisory committee chaired by the chief secretary. According to the MoU, the advisory committee will recommend a Special Programme Management Entity for executing the proposed network of cancer facilities. The project management entity will have representation from both the state government and Tata Trusts.
Tata chairman Ratan Tata said: “The state has changed enormously in last few years. Cancer is a major thrust area and the Tatas will share their knowledge in cancer care to support the state’s efforts in high-end cancer treatment.”
Odisha's chief minister Naveen Patnaik said: “The state government has been taking pro-active measures towards improving cancer care in the state including infrastructure upgradation of district hospitals, both in terms of trained doctors and staff to provide free chemotherapy in all the 30 districts of the state. The Tata Trusts has immense expertise in the field of cancer care and research. The comprehensive cancer care programme in partnership with Tata Trusts will certainly create the much-needed synergy."
