Jackson Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Aug 26:  Arunachal is facing a high cancer burden as a result of the wide disparity in diagnosis and treatment of cancers. 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 life –saving treatment.

For the scores of poor cancer patients who were earlier struggling to get quality treatment at their doorsteps, the Chief Minister’s Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme (CMFCCS) is nothing short of a blessing.

Launched on 1^st August 2017,  the scheme is one of the most considerate and humanitarian step taken under the leadership of Chief Minister Pema Khandu which has benefited more than 455 cancer patients in the first year of its launch.

‘Earlier, cancer patients from remote border areas as well as other places had to travel to outside the state for chemotherapy which is quite expensive and not an easy option for many,’ said Nodal Officer, Tertiary Cancer Centre, TRIHMS, Dr S Tsering.

The doctor narrates many sad stories where patients or their family members have to sell their properties like land, valuable ornaments and Mithun to fund their travel outside the state to receive cancer treatment. But now the situation has changed after the launching of CMFCCS in the Tertiary Cancer Centre, Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS).

Revealing the data of one year, Dr Tsering said, ‘More than 3076 different types of chemotherapy had been provided to atleast 455 cancer patients of the state from 1^st August 2017 to 1st August 2018. The perimeter for the scheme was 500 patients in its first year with funding of Rs 3 crore  but  from  this year onwards it has been increased to 1000 patients and also the fund for the scheme has been hiked to Rs 5 crore.’

Under the CMFCCS a single patient will get chemo benefit of Rs 10 lakh every year which is a huge boon for the people of the state, as cancer treatment is costly.

‘We provide chemotherapy for almost all types of cancers but at times due to non- availability or shortage, patients have to wait for a few days as the medicines are procured from Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai,’ he informed,

When asked about the criterion for availing the free chemotherapy scheme, Dr Tsering informed that any APST patient can avail the same by producing their medical report, ST certificates, Aadhaar card and two photographs.

‘However, we have moved a file for consideration of non-APST patients especially who are in government jobs in the state,’ said the Nodal Officer TCC. 

Earlier, on June 19 this year, Chief Minister Pema Khandu met Chairman of Tata group, Ratan Tata in Guwahati and requested him to set up a Cancer Research Institute in Arunachal Pradesh during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the cancer care centre by the Assam government in collaboration with Tata Trusts at Guwahati.

Acknowledging the Chief Minister’s Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme (CMFCCS) as a unique and effective system of solving problems of poor cancer patients in the state, SKOCH Group in recognition of the services provided to the people has awarded CMFCCS as one of the best scheme in its 52nd SKOCH Summit held at New Delhi on July last. SKOCH Group is a think-tank dealing with socio-economic issues with a focus on inclusive growth since 1997. 

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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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