BJP MLA attacks own government in Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: Even as the health minister said the government was making all efforts to provide best healthcare facilities to cancer patients in the state, BJP MLA Rakesh Pathania countered his claim saying the condition is actually “shocking” both in Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMCH) and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda.
The issue of treatment of cancer patients was earlier raised by Congress MLA Asha Kumari.
In his reply, health minister Vipin Singh Parmar said at present one assistant professor in IGMC Shimla has been trained in medical oncology and no adult patients are being referred outside the state for medical oncology. However last year, four paediatric patients of IGMC, Shimla, were referred to PGI, Chandigarh, for myeloid leukemia.
He said IGMC, Shimla, intends to develop medical oncology as separate specialty. He said the proposal is under consideration of the government.
BJP member Rakesh Pathania said there was a lack of cancer care facilities both in IGMCH and Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College. “I am just coming from IGMCH where seven cancer patients are undergoing treatment. However, the condition in the hospital is shocking.”
Pathania said the minister was misleading the House as 200 to 300 patients were coming daily to the IGMCH for treatment.