Patna,(BiharTimes): To help curb the cancer menace in Bihar the Centre has approved the establishment of State Cancer Institute in Patna and a Tertiary Cancer Care Centre (TCCC) in Bhagalpur. The projected cost of both the centres is Rs 165 crores.

While the SCI will be set up on the campus of Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Patna the TCCC would be estatblished on the campus of Jawahar Lal Nehru Medical College and Hospital, Bhagalpur.
The SCI at the IGIMS will cost Rs 120 crore. While the Centre will provide 75 per cent share the rest will be paid by the state.

According to the executive director of State Health Society, Sanjay Kumar, the Bihar government had requested the Centre to sanction TCCCs in Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital and Anugrah Narayan Magadh Medical College and Hospital in Gaya.

Addressing a workshop organized by SEEDS, an NGO, and State Health Society on Thursday on National Cancer Awareness Day, he said the khaini growers of the state must be encouraged to undertake alternate cropping.

Ironically, only a few days back the state cabinet had rolled back tax on khaini, which was criticized by various medical experts as well as SEEDS.