Govt to start more chemotherapy centres in Mumbai, elsewhere

Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant today said that Mumbai will have additional chemotherapy centres and a shelter home for the relatives of cancer patients admitted at the Tata Memorial Hospital.

"The government has planned two more chemotherapy centres -- one at Cama and Albless Hospital and another in Mumbai suburbs. A cancer research centre would also be established at the Gokuldas Tejpal Hospital," Sawant said in the Legislative Assembly in a reply to a debate initiated by BJP legislator Ashish Shelar.

Shelar expressed concern over the rise in cases of cancer due to tobacco consumption and pointed out that the Tata Memorial Hospital was the only facility in the entire state for cancer treatment. The minister said that the government was also planning to set up cancer hospitals in Marathwada, Vidarbha and North Maharashtra.

He also added that the government would come up with legislation -- which would be tabled in the monsoon session for punishing spitting in public places. The offenders would have to perform social service by way of punishment, he added.