7th Aug 2017 10:08:PM Editorials
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Arunachal is facing a high cancer burden as a result of the wide disparity in diagnosis and treatment of cancers.  Lack of awareness, socioeconomic conditions and difficulty to access the facilities for cancer diagnosis and treatment is compounding the trauma and pain of the patients.

Data suggests that Arunachal Pradesh has the highest number of liver cancer patients in the country and the second highest stomach cancer cases in the world after China, however it does not have any cancer treatment facility. Those who can afford it either go to the Tata Memorial Hospital Mumbai or come to B. Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) in Guwahati for treatment while many poor patients die of cancer without any medical care.

Such is the plight of cancer patients who while fighting a grave disease also have to bear the ordeal of travelling far from the comforts of home and camp in pitiable accommodations to receive treatment.

In this regard, the recently launched Chief Minister's Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme for cancer patients belonging to the indigenous population is one of the most considerate and humanitarian step taken by the state government. The scheme aims to provide commonly used cancer medicines free of cost for up to 500 APST cancer patients yearly with a ceiling of Rs. 10 lakhs per patient per annum.

As affordability of cancer care remains a major challenge not just in the North East but in India, the problem in Arunachal is even more pronounced. This scheme will immensely benefit hundreds of cancer patients who are not able to afford chemotherapy due to its high costs.

By streamlining palliative care, the state government has ensured that needy patients are not left out. As opposed to providing money individually as we had seen during the revival of the hugely popular ‘Janata Durbar’ during the late CM Kalikho Pul’s tenure, where the lucky few who managed to get an attendance got away with substantial amounts, this however will be of a more equitable nature. As in the earlier case, for each person who received help in cash, countless more were languishing away without any form of assistance.

The Chief Minister's Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme on the other hand will eliminate such loopholes and ensure that patients needing cancer care will receive it. Monetary help provided randomly to patients beats the purpose as they often land in the hands of a lucky few. This way it will take care of such discrepancies.

 


Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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