CHANDIGARH: To spread awareness & encourage prevention, detection and treatment of cancer, ‘World Cancer Day’ has been observed in all government health establishments in the State where screening drive for control & prevention of cancer is also being conducted to diagnose the cancer patients as earliest.
Aim to save people from preventable deaths, the Health Minister Mr. Balbir Singh Sidhu said that the Punjab Government has been raising awareness and education about cancer through Health workers with the IEC (Information, Education and Communication) activities. He said that of the 7, 84, 951 persons screened under Screening Programme of the Health Department during financial year 2020-21 under which 3217 persons diagnosed with cancer. He said that this screening drive has been proved a boon for the such newly diagnosed patients as they are now getting the treatment for their recovery.
Financial assistance up to Rs. 1.50 Lacs for the treatment to each cancer patient under the Mukh Mantri Rahat Punjab Raahat Kosh is being provided and till date financial assistance of Rs. 836 crore has been sanctioned to 64, 158 cancer patients, he said.
Divulging about Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojna, Mr. Sidhu said that cashless treatment services up to Rs. 5 lacs also being provided to the cancer patients under this scheme and 18, 815 patients got free treatment worth Rs. 35.07 cr.
He added that the 30+ population is being screened by ANMs for 3 Common Cancers namely Oral, Breast and Cervical. ANMs and other paramedical staff have been trained for screening to help early detection of these Cancers. The suspected cases detected during screening were referred for further investigations and treatment.
Establishments for Cancer Care in State of Punjab
o State Cancer Institute, Amritsar:- With a cost of Rs. 120 Crores (60% Centre Share + 40% State Share), State Cancer Institute is being established at Govt. Medical College, Amritsar. Construction work is being carried out by PHSC and around 61 % work has been completed.
o Tertiary Cancer Care Centre, Fazilka:- Government of India has approved a 50 bedded Tertiary Cancer Care Centre (TCCC) at District Fazilka. Cost for establishing the same is 45 crore. Construction work is being carried out by PHSC and around 69 % work has been completed.
o Tertiary Cancer Care Centre, Hoshiarpur:- The proposal for establishing Tertiary Cancer Care Centre (TCCC), Hoshiarpur has been submitted to Government of India and approval for same is yet to be received.
o A 100 bedded Advanced Cancer Diagnostic Treatment and Research Centre has been set up at Bathinda by State Government. The facility has been provided with Tertiary level service equipments.
o Homi Bhabha Cancer Care Facility in District Hospital Sangrur has been established in collaboration with TMC, Mumbai. The facility has been provided with the State of Art equipment.
o A 300 bedded cancer Hospital at Mullanpur:-Bhabha Atomic Search Centre along with Tata Memorial Cancer Research Centre, Mumbai is setting up a 300 bedded Cancer Treatment Centre at Mullanpur (Medicity, New Chandigarh). The layout plan is under process.
o All Medical Colleges in the State have been provided with State of the Art equipment for the treatment of cancer patients.