In a major step towards improvement of infrastructure for cancer cure, Maharashtra tied up with the Tata Trusts to link all government colleges and medical colleges to the national cancer grid for uniform cancer profiling and quality treatment. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Tata Trusts chairman Ratan Tata signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for this collaboration at Vidhan Bhavan in Mumbai.

• On the lines of a similar grid developed in the United States, the Tata Trusts has established a national cancer grid that links all existing and proposed cancer care centres to create a uniform line of treatment for cancer patients across the country.
• Maharashtra is the country’s first state to join the initiative.
• The CM said the target was to have 50,000 bone marrow donors in the next three years.
• The Tata Trusts has agreed to help the government in setting up a Strategic Healthcare Advisory Unit aimed to improve overall healthcare in the state.
• A joint initiative aimed to bridge the technology-gender divide by improving ‘internet literacy’ in rural Maharashtra has been undertaken too.
• Another MoU was signed to upgrade the skill set of language teachers in rural schools.