Sonowal inaugurates CT Scan machine in Gauhati Med College

Hosp Cancer unit Guwahati, Aug 18 (PTI) A PET-CT Scan machine at thenewly constructed state of the art 200 bedded cancer hospitalattached to Gauhati Medical College Hospital was inauguratedtoday by Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal as part ofthe state government’s endeavour to battle cancer in thestate. Patients will now get due care and the best-in-classdiagnostic treatment while maintaining highest safetystandards, Sonowal said. Terming medical profession as a noble vocation, hesaid those who are associated with this vocation shouldconsider themselves very fortunate because through treatmentof patients, they get the opportunity to serve mankind. "Dedicating the services of the PET-CT Scan machineaugurs a momentous occasion for oncology treatment in thestate. Patients of the state had to go out to other stateseven abroad for better cancer treatment and those with feeblefinancial condition had to suffer a lot. "With the introduction of this facility, patients willget better treatment within the state", Sonowal said statinghealth and education are the priorities for the government andwith concerted efforts from all quarters, changes can bebrought in these sectors. The Chief Minister said his government laid toppriority to medical education in the state and accordingly asubstantial chunk has been allocated for the sector in thestate’s Budget. Pointing out that in Assam, cancer case are increasingand nearly 25,000 new cancer cases are detected every year inthe state, he underlined the state government’s emphasis ontransforming the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital to aNational Institute of Excellence. Categorising his priorities, Sonowal said hisgovernment is committed to extending good governance for thebenefit of all people below poverty line and coupled withrespect and responsibility, it will facilitate "change" in thestate. State Health and Family Welfare minister Himanta BiswaSarma said with the PET CT Scan Machine, patients can availmodern treatment in the state itself leading to cutting downin their treatment expenditure. He said with the PET CT Scan machine being dedicatedto the service of the patients, Assam has become the firststate to have this facility in a government owned hospital andthat has happened within 100 days of the new government inpower. PTI ESBDKB