Intensive research is needed to analyse the exact cause of rising incidence of cancer in the Northeast: Assam CM
Bhupen Goswami
GUWAHATI : Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the second radiotherapy unit at Health City Hospital at Khanapara in Guwahati today. Addressing a meeting held at the Hospital on the occasion, Chief Minister Dr. Sharma said that in view of the increasing incidence of cancer in Assam and the North-East, this radiotherapy unit, which was added to the hospital today, will be immensely beneficial in the treatment of cancer patients. Pointing out that the number of cancer patients has increased in Mizoram, Meghalaya, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as per the 2020 ICMR report, the Chief Minister said that the government has set up several cancer centres in the state to treat cancer patients. Moreover, PET CT scan facility has been developed in the government as well as private sector hospitals, he said. The Chief Minister said that in-depth research is needed to analyse the exact cause of the rising incidence of cancer in Assam and the North East. The Chief Minister also said that in view of the cost effectiveness of cancer treatment, there is a need for affordable and accessible medical care facilities. He said the state government is thinking of adopting a plan to provide universal health insurance of Rs 5 lakh to 52 lakh beneficiaries of Assam under the National Food Security Act on the lines of the Prime Minister's 'Ayushman Bharat – Jan Arogya Yojana'. Stating that Assam is on its way to crossing the line of treatment of 10,000 patients in the treatment of coronary heart disease, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has taken steps in the field of bone marrow transplant and for this there is a need to set up a large centre in the state. Dr. Bhabananda Das, Chairman and Managing Director, Health City Hospital delivered the welcome address on the occasion, which was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Keshab Mahanta, Director, Health City Hospital Dr. Bhabani Prasad Chakraborty and doctors, nurses, health workers of the hospital and other dignitaries. At today's event, the authorities of Health City Hospital also presented a cheque of Rs. 5 lakh to the Chief Minister;s Relief Fund.
