Jaipur, 02 October. Chief Minister Smt. Vasundhara Raje has said that the state-of-the Art Cancer Institute being established with the help of Champlimaud Foundation of Portugal will be a new chapter in cancer cure. Cancer patitents will get better treatment and the centre will prove to be a boon for the people who can not afford the high cost of the treatment of cancer.

Smt. Raje was addressing the function after signing of MoU between the state government and the Champlimaud foundation. From the state government side Principal Secretary, Medical Education Shri J C Mahanti while from the Foundation side Executive Director Joao Botelho signed the MoU.

The Chief Minister said the singining of MoU on the asuspicious occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and Durga Ashthami is the beginning of new chapter in prevention and cure of the disease like cancer. She said it will bring change and Rajasthan was going to benefit hugely by the experience of the Champlimaud Foundation in medicine and science. The cooperation will also strengthen our relations with Portugal, she said. Lots of hopes, expectations and desires are connected to work with the Foundation and the state is happy to be the part of this exciting journey, she added.

Smt. Raje said it is a major psychological blow to people when they come to know about this disease. For layman its cure is very expensive. Lots of people go to Mumbai and other places for the treatment even though they don’t have money and its very frighening experience for them. Now after opening of the cancer institute in Jaipur they will get good treatment here.

Ms Leonor Beleza, President of the Champlimaud Foundation said working with government of Rajasthan in establishing this cancer care institute will be extremely fruitful and will be long lasting affair. Signing of MoU for setting up the Institute is an honour for the Foundation, she said. Vice Chancellor of Rajasthan University of Health Science Shri Rajababu Pawar gave presentation about the concep of the institute.

Chief Secretary Shri Rajiv Mehrishi while proposing vote of thanks said people of Rajasthan will be benefitted after setting up of this cancer care institute. In the begining Principal Secretary Medical Education Shri J C Mahanti welcomed the guests. Faculties from Medical Colleges, doctors and cancer specialists were present in the programme.

The state government has alotted 34,400 square meter land in the Rajasthan Health Science University premise at Pratap Nagar, Jaipur for this Institute. The Champlimaud Foundation will extend technical support in designing the infrasture of the centre. It will also provide technical support in finalizing specifications and selection of equipments for diagnosis, treatment and research.