American Oncology Institute at Babina Specialty Hospital gets multi-specialty services

Imphal: Manipur chief minister N. Biren Singh on Friday inaugurated multi-specialty services at American Oncology Institute at Babina Specialty Hospital, Imphal East.

The formal inauguration programme was held at the campus of Babina Specialty Hospital, Sajiwa Jail Road. The chief minister also laid the foundation stone for construction of Babina Multi-Specialty Hospital.

Along with the comprehensive cancer care facility, the hospital has now expanded its services to specialty departments like Neurology, Urology, Critical Care, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, etc to improve specialty care services in the state.

Biren lauded the officials of Babina Specialty Hospital for their support and cooperation during the 2nd wave of the Covid-19 pandemic by admitting Covid patients for treatment even before the inauguration of the hospital itself.

The humanitarian service of the hospital had eased a lot, the hardship faced by people due to non-availability of beds during the pandemic, he added. He also expressed satisfaction on learning that the hospital had so far provided treatment facilities to more than 200 patients under PMJAY and over 500 patients under the CMHT Scheme, he said.

The construction of the specialty hospital mostly by engaging local machineries including architect, labours, electricians etc had made the initiatives towards Atmanirbhar Bharat a success in the state. He informed that the state is coming up with a cancer hospital at Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences very soon as the construction of the same had already started, he added.

The opening of the Oncology Institute in the state would help in addressing the financial problems faced by cancer patients and their families for treatment outside the state.

Health minister Dr Sapam Ranjan said the rate of getting infected with cancer had been gradually increasing thereby reaching an alarming situation. He spoke about the revenue drained out from the state due to treatment of cancer patients outside the state. However, with the opening of the specialty hospital, the hardship faced by the people would be eased a little as the state would be having the facility of treatment.

He appreciated the initiative of Biren to lessen the expenditure borne by people in medical treatment by giving the healthcare sector as the first priority of his governance.

PHED minister L. Sushindro Meitei, Group CEO, Cancer Treatment Services International Dr Jagprag Singh Gujral,  hairman and MD Babina Healthcare Dr Thangjam Dhabali, officials of AOI and Babina Healthcare attended the programme among others.