In a significant push to bolster local healthcare facilities, Jalandhar Member of Parliament Sushil Kumar Rinku has made a strong appeal for the establishment of a dedicated day-care cancer centre at the city's Civil Hospital. This demand aims to provide critical and accessible cancer care to residents, reducing the need for arduous travel to distant cities for treatment.
Addressing the Healthcare Gap in Jalandhar
The call for the cancer centre was made during a high-level meeting convened by the MP to review the progress of various development projects within the Jalandhar parliamentary constituency. The meeting, held on a recent Friday, saw the participation of key officials, including Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Aggarwal and Municipal Corporation Commissioner Navneet Kaur Bal.
During the discussions, MP Sushil Kumar Rinku emphasized the urgent need for such a facility. He highlighted the severe hardship faced by cancer patients from Jalandhar and surrounding areas who are currently forced to travel to cities like Amritsar, Ludhiana, or even beyond the state for basic chemotherapy and day-care procedures. The establishment of a local centre would alleviate this physical, emotional, and financial strain on patients and their families.
Focus on Infrastructure and Civic Upgrades
The review meeting covered a broad spectrum of civic and infrastructure issues critical to Jalandhar's development. A primary focus was the long-pending project of covering the Hudiara Drain, a major open drain that poses environmental and health risks. The MP directed officials to expedite this project, underscoring its importance for public health and urban aesthetics.
Other key projects discussed included:
- The development of a new truck parking zone to ease congestion.
- Improvements to the city's sewerage and water supply networks.
- General maintenance and upgrade of roads and public infrastructure.
MP Rinku instructed the concerned departments to prepare detailed project reports (DPRs) and work with a sense of urgency to ensure timely completion. He stressed that these developments are essential for enhancing the quality of life for Jalandhar's citizens.
Accountability and Timely Execution
Beyond making demands, the MP adopted a stance of active oversight. He issued clear instructions to the Deputy Commissioner and other senior officers to closely monitor the progress of all ongoing works. The directive includes ensuring that projects are completed within stipulated deadlines and that any bottlenecks are addressed promptly.
This approach signals a shift towards greater accountability in the execution of public welfare projects in the constituency. The MP's active involvement is seen as a move to bridge the gap between administrative planning and on-ground implementation, ensuring that promised developments reach the people.
The Path Forward for Healthcare
The demand for the day-care cancer centre at Civil Hospital, Jalandhar, is now a formal part of the constituency's development agenda. While the meeting served as a platform to voice this critical need, the next steps involve formal proposals, budgetary allocations, and approvals from the state health department.
If realized, this centre would mark a transformative addition to Jalandhar's medical infrastructure. It would not only provide essential cancer care but also reduce the patient load on tertiary care hospitals in other cities, allowing them to focus on more complex cases. For the people of Jalandhar, it promises a future where battling a severe illness does not necessarily involve a debilitating journey away from home.
The MP's advocacy has brought a long-standing issue to the forefront, creating a renewed sense of hope for improved, accessible, and compassionate healthcare services in the region.
