0
0
New Delhi, February 13, 2024 – The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, virtually addressed the 5th Foundation Day celebration of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of AIIMS Jhajjar, emphasizing the institution’s remarkable progress over the past five years.
Joined by Ms. Christina Scott, British Deputy High Commissioner to India, Dr. Mandaviya commended the dedication and expertise of the healthcare professionals at NCI, highlighting their pivotal role in delivering quality healthcare to patients.
During the event, a significant milestone was reached with the signing of a Collaboration Agreement between the University of Liverpool and AIIMS New Delhi for the establishment of the “AIIMS Liverpool Collaborative Centre for Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer – ALHNS.” This initiative aims to enhance research and education programs, improve the quality of research outputs and education, and develop common standard operating procedures (SOPs) to access high-quality clinical datasets and tissue repositories.
Dr. Mandaviya reiterated the government’s commitment to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare for all citizens through initiatives like Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and Ayushman Arogya Mandir scheme. These initiatives have provided free treatment for serious diseases to millions of people, significantly impacting the lives of the underprivileged.
Speaking on India’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025, Dr. Mandaviya highlighted the Prime Minister’s TB Free India Campaign, which provides free medicines, testing, and nutritional support to TB patients. He emphasized the significant financial assistance provided to TB patients and the adoption of 10 lakh TB patients by service-minded citizens.
Dr. Mandaviya also shed light on the Sickle Cell Elimination Program, which aims to screen approximately 7 crore people for sickle cell disease and provide free medicines, with the government allocating substantial funds for this initiative.
The National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar, dedicated to the nation on February 12, 2019, by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has been instrumental in providing comprehensive cancer care to patients. With state-of-the-art facilities and a focus on holistic cancer care, NCI Jhajjar continues to make significant strides in the fight against cancer.
Prof. Dr. M Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, Prof. Tim Jones, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, Prof. Alok Thakar, Head of NCI-AIIMS, along with senior officials of the Union Health Ministry and faculty members of AIIMS New Delhi, were also present during the event, underscoring the collaborative efforts towards advancing cancer research and treatment in India.
The celebration of NCI Jhajjar’s 5th Foundation Day reflects the institution’s unwavering commitment to excellence in cancer care and its pivotal role in shaping the landscape of cancer treatment in the country.
