Bengaluru (Karnataka), Nov 14 (PTI) Karnataka Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday met children undergoing cancer treatment at the Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology here on Children’s Day and assured their families of better facilities.
Speaking to reporters later, Shivakumar said the government would examine a request for three acres of land to provide accommodation for mothers and family members accompanying children for treatment.
“A plan is also drawn up to add 200 new beds at the hospital, and directions have already been issued in this regard. The work will be taken up shortly,” he said.
During the visit, he enquired about the young patients’ health and encouraged them to stay confident and continue their fight against the disease. He also spoke to the mothers accompanying them about the facilities at the hospital and assured them of government support.
The government was working to extend cancer treatment facilities to districts—Tumakuru, Mysuru, Ballari, Kalaburagi and Raichur—to reduce the need for patients to travel to Bengaluru, he said.
Around 3.5 lakh patients visit the hospital every year, an average of about 1,000 a day, Shivakumar said. He appreciated the doctors and staff for treating a large number of patients free of cost.
He said the recent Cabinet meeting had approved the purchase of another robotic machine and other medical equipment. One robotic machine is already operational. “We will ensure that patients receive even better treatment at Kidwai, which is a reputed hospital in the country,” he said.
Expressing concern over cancer cases among young children, he said: “It is a matter of concern that cancer is being detected not just among young people but also in little children aged one, two, five and below 10 years. We will focus on what the government needs to do to ensure that all necessary treatment facilities are provided free of cost to such children.”
He appreciated the contributions of organisations including Jindal and Infosys to the hospital’s development.
Responding to a question on controlling cigarette and tobacco consumption to protect children’s health, he said: “Necessary steps will be taken to keep children away from such harmful habits. It is our responsibility to build a drug-free state. Police have been instructed to be more vigilant in this regard.” PTI AMP SSK
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