The Odisha government is planning to spend Rs 1,001 crore in the next two years under its Comprehensive Cancer Service (CCS) to provide the best cancer care and treatment at an affordable price.

The number of cancer patients is increasing in the state at a faster speed than expected, posing a threat to the healthcare system.

Odisha chief secretary P.K. Jena said: “The state government has earmarked Rs 1,001.14 crore under the CCS project to provide cancer care close to the houses of patients. The entire allocation will be spent in the next two years. It has got the approval of the cabinet.”

Jena said cancer care units would come up at Bargarh District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR) at Burla, Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital at Koraput, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital (MKCG) in Berhampur, Saheed RendoMajhi Medical College and Hospital at Bhawanipatna, Bhim Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir, Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital at Baripada, Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital at Balasore, Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Keonjhar, Government Medical College and Hospital at Talcher and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

Each cancer care unit will have 50-100 beds, operation theatres and ICUs besides chemotherapy, radiotherapy and palliative care units.

“Posts of specialists,super-specialists and technical staff will be createdas regular cadre under the state government to provide uninterrupted servicesat these facilities,” Jenasaid.

The state government has engaged Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai to set up a cancer hospital on the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) campus at Jatni near Bhubaneswar.

Another cancer hospital is coming up with the support of Mindtree co-founder and former chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack havemore than 15 hospitals that provide treatment to cancer patients.

A survey has found that oral, gastric, and lung cancers are most common among men while breast, cervix, ovary, gastric and gall bladder cancers are more common in women.