To save Punjab from the deadly tentacle of cancer, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Thursday vowed to make the State one of the best cancer treatment destinations in the country and set up world-class facilities to combat the disease at affordable rates.
Inaugurating a workshop on cancer registration and cancer control at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Badal emphasised the need for a campaign to create awareness about the disease among people, especially those living in remote areas. The workshop was organised by Mumbai’s Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in collaboration with PGIMER under the auspices of the Punjab Government.
Endorsing the views expressed by TMC director RA Badwe about probable causes like lack of exercise and physical activity, obesity, less intake of fruits and vegetables besides tendency to consume alcohol and chew tobacco, Badal said that these must be widely publicised among the masses.
The adage, “prevention is better than cure”, must be put into practice by making people aware of ill-effects of cancer and at the same time sensitising them about the necessity of early detection, Badal said. Chief Minister shared how he lost his father and wife due to cancer and narrated his own traumatic experience of cancer and getting it cured in the US about two decades ago by seeking doctor’s timely intervention at its initial stage.
He reiterated that early detection of cancer was of paramount importance to give a new lease of life to those suffering from the disease. Highlighting the role of cancer registries in control and research of this fatal disease, Badal said that Population Based Cancer Registration (PBCR) started in Chandigarh, Mohali, Mansa, and Sangrur have put forth useful data in identifying different types of cancer in the State.
These registries were eyes and ears of the cancer control and research programmes, which will help the State intensify its effort to tackle the disease far more effectively, the Chief Minister said. Divulging the initiatives taken by the State Government to control cancer to a considerable extent, the Chief Minister said that war has been declared against cancer for which Punjab State Cancer and Drug Addiction Treatment Infrastructure Act has been legislated and a dedicated fund of Rs 300 crore would be credited annually to it for providing financial assistance to the cancer patients.
He said that under Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Fund of Rs 1.50 lakh was being given to the cancer patients regardless of his economic and social status. “Cancer Hospital on the lines of Tata Memorial Centre would soon come up at Mullanpur near Chandigarh for which over 50 acres of land given free of cost. The project has been duly approved by Union Cabinet following his persistent efforts,” he added.
Dr Freddie Bray, Deputy Section Head of Cancer Information, International Agency for Research on Cancer, discussed about the Global cancer burden with emphasis on India. Dr JS Thakur, Additional Professor, School of Public Health, PGI said that the burden of Cancer in Punjab is comparable to other States with pockets of higher rates for Malwa region.
He further added that Punjab is moving from Cancer surveys to Population based cancer control registries which will provide correct estimates for cancer in Punjab in future. The global cancer burden and regional differences in countries with low and middle Human Development Index was highlighted during the session followed by a discussion on options for cancer prevention and treatment: current status and future directions for Punjab State.