AMARAVATI: Taking the issue of rising cancer cases and poor infrastructure for fighting it seriously, the state government has decided to scale up the entire infrastructure by setting up new super specialties and cancer care units. In order to make an early detection, the government has also decided to launch mass screening campaign across the state.
Noticing the serious imbalance in the cancer care facilities in the state, chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy directed the health department to make all-out efforts to set things right. Jagan has also appointed noted cancer care expert Dr Nori Dattatreyudu as advisor and requested him to ready a road map to tackle the serious issue. Chief minister wanted that no one from AP should go out of the state for cancer treatment in next few years. Hundreds of cancer victims are rushing to metro cities in neighbouring states-Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore for better treatment facilities due to the shortage of advanced facilities in the state. Latest studies revealed that 95-120 people per each 1 lakh population are getting diagnosed with cancer in AP.
Following the chief minister’s focus on cancer care, the health department has decided to organise screening camps at all village/ward secretariats with the help of mammography equipped buses and experts. The health department has also readied a blueprint to establish cancer treatment facilities in 49 locations including teaching and district hospitals. While Tirupati cancer institute will be developed as an international research centre, Vijayawada and Visakhapatnam will get comprehensive cancer care hospitals.
“We are spending close to 400 crore on cancer treatment through Aarogyasri. However, 87 per cent of the amount is going to the private hospitals due to the non-availability of services in public healthcare sector. We are taking corrective measures,” said principal secretary (health) MT Krishnababu. He said the chief minister wants basic cancer care available within 50km of the patients by 2030. Entire advanced treatment would be made available within the state in next few years, said Krishnababu. He said they found that at least 35 per cent of the cases (13.5 per cent breast, 9.4 cervical and 10.3 oral cavity cancer), could be completely cured if diagnosed early.
