Bathinda,
As part of its expansion plans, Advanced Cancer Institute is set to acquire the campus of Central University of Punjab (CUP) in Bathinda. A proposal to this

effect was mooted last year by top officials of the cancer institute to Finance Minister Manpreet Badal.

The Finance Minister gave his approval for the same today and assured that all “possible modalities to concretise the proposal will be worked out soon”.

Plans to vacate the CUP are afoot already and once it is done, the cancer institute will extend its medical services from the varsity premises as well. The FM

said, “Once the varsity campus is vacated, I will move a proposal letter to the authorities concerned in the state government to facilitate the expansion of the

cancer institute into CUP.”

As per the proposal submitted to FM, the university building would be utilised in a phased manner and initially, auditorium, classrooms, library and hostel rooms

would be put to use. Later, the university campus will be utilised for administrative purposes, accommodation of medical staff (to meet emergencies on

immediate basis), establishing new units as an extension of cancer institute and classrooms for new courses.

Manpreet was in the city to attend a free medical check-up camp at the Advanced Cancer Institute. He also held deliberations with officials of the cancer institute

that focused on staff crunch and how scarcity of funds was coming in way of upgrade.

The Finance Minister not only assured financial assistance for the institute, but also scheduled a meeting on February 19 at the Chandigarh head office with all

officials concerned to address its staff crunch issue.

Medical Superintendent, Advanced Cancer Institute, Deepak Arora, said, “We have one specialist each in radiology, surgery, radiotherapy, anaesthesia and

pathology among 10 units of the hospital that needs to be enhanced.”