Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation told to start cancer hospital soon

The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) administration came under heavy criticism for its delay in starting a cancer hospital. At a meeting held on Tuesday, the standing committee members directed the civic body to cancel other major projects and concentrate on setting up the hospital.

Speaking at a press conference, standing committee chief, Prashant Shitole said, “According to the PCMC health records, of 1,500 people who approach the municipal Yashwantrao Chavan Memorial Hospital (YCMH) for cancer care every year, 200 fail to get treatment due to lack of radiology facility.”

In reply to panel member Tanaji Khade’s question in the meeting as to why the civic body has failed to finalise the cancer hospital plan, PCMC chief medical officer, Dr Nagkumar Kunchagi, and health director, Dr RR Iyyar, cited financial crunch as the main reason.

Unhappy with civic officials’ answer, the panel members asked the PCMC authorities to postpone other projects to build the cancer hospital. Nagkumar told members that the PCMC has planned to start screening centres, and the proposal has been presented to commissioner Ashish Sharma.

The standing committee members threw files and papers in the meeting to express their anger over the delay in setting up the hospital. The civic officials failed to put forth a valid explanation.
Shitole said, “We have organised a special meeting at YCMH on December 22 to discuss the cancer hospital and other health projects. Health officials and the commissioner will be present.”
He said the commissioner has discussed the screening centre facility proposal with deputy chief minister, Ajit Pawar, and it awaits the latter’s approval.

The panel also approved to sanction Rs13 lakh to purchase two dialysis machines at YCMH. Of the three machines at the hospital, the civic body will replace the one that is not in working condition.