File photo: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The West Bengal government will soon make treatment of all cancer, cardiac problems and blood disorders completely free in hospitals run by the state government, announced Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee in a series of tweets today.
In a Facebook post, Ms Banerjee wrote the initiative was the result of the state government's "huge success" with Fair Price Medicine shops and Diagnostic Centres. The programme will be launched "very soon after tying up the logistics and other issues," she added.
Not only will processes like open heart surgery and radiation therapy be made free, the hospitals will also prove free medicines to patients.
The services at the government hospitals will also include repair and replacement of valves and insertion of different types of implants like stents and pace makers - currently these are highly expensive procedures.
"The scope of treatment of blood disorders like blood cancer, thalassemia, alplastic anaemia, hemophilia would be enhanced for universal coverage," she tweeted.
The opposition CPM has protested against the announcement of the initiative on the eve of the civic polls in the state - elections will be held for 92 civic bodies, including the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, on Saturday. The party has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission.
Last year, Kerala became the first state in India to provide free cancer treatment. The project, called Sukrutham, was launched by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in October.
Free treatment is expected to cost Kerala around Rs 320 crore a year. But the programme is to be supported by contributions from individuals and institutions as well.