20th Aug 2017 10:08:PM State
Eastern Sentinel Arunachal News

Jackson Tayeng

NAHARLAGUN, Aug 20: Among the plethora of programmes launched since Pema Khandu ascended the Chief Minister’s chair, the latest addition – Chief Minister's Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme (CMFCCS)   for cancer patients belonging to the indigenous population has become a lifesaver for many especially for those who cannot  afford  to travel outside the state to avail expensive treatment.

 ‘It is a wonderful blessing for us.  Thanks to Chief Minister Pema Khandu for such a noble initiative otherwise it could have been impossible for us to travel outside and avail such costly treatment,’ said 65-year-old Licha Temi who was in the Tertiary Cancer Center daycare center.

While voicing similar thoughts, Tasso Morchi, 32, further appealed the concerned authority to  provide all the medicines as at the  moment few of them are still not available  at the center.

As per records  of  Tertiary Cancer Center(TCC) in  Tomo Riba Institute of  Health  & Medical  Sciences (TRIHMS), within the  third  week of the  launch  of the  scheme,  72  people  have registered themselves  to avail  the  benefits for free Chemotherapy. Besides, 39 have registered for Radiation Therapy and at least 18  patients are availing routine therapy daily.

Speaking about the benefits of the scheme, Nodal Officer, TCC, Dr  Sam Tsering  credited  Chief Minister Pema Khandu for enabling easy access to cancer treatment to even poor patients. He further added that cancer patients can avail chemotherapy ranging from Rs 7 to Rs 1 lakhs.

While narrating the ordeals faced by poor patients , Dr Tsering said ‘There  are many cases when patients or their dependents had to sell or mortgage their properties to  travel  outside the state to avail treatment and chemo.  But the CMFCCS has brought immeasurable relief for these people.’

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. All that is required from patients is that they provide identification proof, ST certificate and two passport photographs.

All three cancer treatment facilities like Radiation, Surgery and Chemo are now available in the TCC, Naharlagun and patients need not to go outside the state for treatment, the officer added.

Under the CMFCC scheme TCC has signed an MoU with Tata Memorial Cancer Institute for branded and quality medicines worth up to Rs 3 crores. Medicine worth ninety lakhs has been purchased and made available to the TCC, he added.

Ever since its inauguration, the TCC has witnessed a steady stream of patients and often people have to wait outside due to limited beds in the center. Sometime patients have to leave early to make space for others,  despite needing the mandatory rest after the treatment.

‘There is a master plan to upgrade TCC into Regional Cancer Treatment Center  and then to Cancer Institute,’ revealed Dr Tsering, however adding that till the finalization of the proposed master plan, the government should consider to add another floor to ease the burden.


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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