Chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed concern at the increase in number of cancer patients in India every year. After laying the foundation stone for and inaugurating various developmental works costing Rs 15 crore in the Mussoorie Vidhan Sabha constituency here on Sunday, Rawat referred to the World Cancer Day observed on February 4 and stressed on the need for raising public awareness to tackle cancer.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Rawat averred that the State Government’s priority is to ensure development in all sectors. He said that this is the need of hour.
The public should also be aware about developmental works, he added. Referring to World Cancer Day observed on Sunday, he expressed concern at the rising number of cancer patients in the country.he stressed on the importance of public awareness in order to tackle the menace of cancer. If proper awareness is given, it can be checked easily.
Those aged between 36 and 39 years seem to be getting afflicted by cancer more than people in other age groups. The proportion of people with oral cancers is high in the nation. Those who consume tobacco and smoke are being afflicted more by cancer.
On the other hand, women in India seem to be affected more by cervical cancer than other forms of the disease. One death is being caused by cervical cancer every eight minutes, he said. Rawat reiterated the need for the public to remain alert against cancer. He gave the example of cricketer Yuvraj Singh, stating that he fought cancer ans is now fit and playing again. He said that there are facilities for treatment of cancer at the government medical college in Haldwani, All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) Rishikesh and the Himalayan institute hospital. Timely diagnosis of the problem can strengthen the chances for successfully curing the patient of this ailment, he added.
Regarding the union budget presented recently, the chief minister said that it is dedicated to the poor and middle class of society. In this budget, the people will benefit from the world’s biggest health insurance scheme.
Further, a target has also been set for making India free of tuberculosis by 2025.
Apart from free medicines to the tuberculosis patients, provision has also been made for Rs 500 per month to be used for nutritional aids, added the Chief Minister.