Guwahati: Inaugurated by Union home min, new GMCH healthcare facility makes treatment affordable

GUWAHATI: The state-of-the-art cardiothoracic and neuroscience centre (CNC) at GMCH, inaugurated by home minister Amit Shah, received an encouraging response on Tuesday when it was thrown open to the public.
GMCH authority said even the poorest of the poor will get the best treatment here as the out-patient department (OPD) has started functioning. On the first day, about 400 patients received treatment in the OPD. Three of them were admitted. The new wing of the GMCH comprises cardiology, cardiothoracic, neurology and neurosurgery departments.
State health minister Keshab Mahanta said the same treatment that private hospitals offer will be available to patients here at a much affordable price. “Patients will not wait for a long period of time for treatment at CNC. This is going to be our thrust area,” said Mahanta. He was hopeful that the CNC would redefine government hospitals. “We are giving prime focus so that the quality of treatment, cleanliness and other facilities make healthcare at CNC better than at private hospitals,” said Mahanta.
GMCH principal Dr Achyut Baishya said dedicated ICUs have been readied for the four departments. “Everything is mega at the CNC. While the below poverty line families will get very affordable treatment, for the rest, too, it will be much cheaper,” said Baishya.
Some of the patients who queued up for treatment at CNC had been visiting some of the most reputed hospitals in the country for years.