ITANAGAR:
Chief Minister Pema Khandu chaired the first meeting of the governing body of state cancer society of Arunachal Pradesh in Itanagar on August 2, and was informed that cancer screening projects will be launched in Papum Pare, East Siang, and Tirap districts of the state.
The meeting also decided to renew the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, for the Chief Minister’s Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme for another term of three years.
The state government has also increased the allocation from the initial Rs 3 crore to Rs 6 crore for the scheme in this fiscal.
Addressing the meeting, Khandu stressed the need to create mass awareness on cancer and related major risk factors by involving Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), and other groups. There is a need to bring about behavioural and lifestyle changes for the prevention of cancer, he advocated.
He requested the State Cancer Society and the Health Department to take initiative under the leadership of health minister Alo Libang.
The meeting started with a note from Dr Sharat Chauhan, principal secretary, health, informing the house about the increased incidence of cancer in the state and also highlighting the aims and objects of the State Cancer Society which is mainly to oversee comprehensive cancer treatment, including pain and palliative care support, create awareness and to set up cancer care centres under central and state government schemes.
Dr Sam Tsering, state nodal officer, Cancer Control Programme presented the status report of various activities taken up by the Society for the welfare of cancer patients.
It was informed that about 3,232 patients have benefitted from the Chief Minister’s Free Cancer Chemotherapy Scheme so far, which was launched in 2017 to provide chemotherapy medicines up to a ceiling of Rs 5 lakh per patient per annum to all cancer patients and regular state government employees and their dependents.
The Governing Body headed by Khandu has decided to establish one state-of-the-art comprehensive Tertiary Cancer Care Centre for the people in a phase-wise manner. The centre will have all the latest technologies & equipment and facilities like Linear Accelerator (True Beam), Brachytherapy Unit, PET CT Scan etc. for the people who otherwise have to travel to other states for the same.
This will be in addition to the free diagnostics, chemotherapy and medicines being provided by the government. Various other decisions of the body were also taken during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by health minister Libang, advisor Goruk Pordung, principal secretary (health & FW) Dr Sharat Chauhan, commissioner to CM Sonam Chombay, special secretary (health) Vivek HP, joint secretary (CMO) Kanki Darang, NHM mission director L Borang, and others.