Bhubaneswar, May 30: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today launched free cancer treatment facilities for all district headquarter hospitals across the state through video-conferencing from here.

"The availability of costly cancer treatment facilities nearer home will ease the mental, financial and physical pressure on the cancer patients," Naveen said after the launch.

The state government is implementing the District Cancer Care Programme out of its own resources. Under this programme, chemotherapy, treatment and consultation with trained doctors will be available at all the 30 district headquarter hospitals.

Earlier, such facilities were available in 13 district headquarter hospitals, apart from Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar and Rourkela Government Hospital.

The programme is being implemented under the supervision of oncologist Dinesh Pendharkar, who was also present at today's programme.

The officials informed that the burden on the Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Research Centre would be lessened with the cancer treatment facilities being made available at the district level.

Naveen also announced that radiotherapy centres would be opened at Nabarangour, Jharuguda, Angul district headquarter hospitals and also at Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar within next two years at an estimated cost of Rs 40 to 50 crore in each health care facility.

Besides, programmes will be taken up for cancer detection at the preliminary stage at the community level.

Naveen also interacted with cancer patients and their relatives from Sundargarh, Balasore, Korapur, Nabarangpur and Bargarh districts through video-conferencing today.