• Assam turning into major hub for cancer care
• 63.5% of people avail treatment inside the state
• Network of cancer hospitals which are strategically placed will help people of all north-eastern states
• Once all the 17 cancer hospitals are operational, Assam would attract patients from Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Nepal
T P Venu
Padmabati, 38 from Karbi Anglong, is one of the most backward districts not only in Assam but the country had been making trips to Kolkata along with her sister for cancer treatment for the last 10 years. Today, she is relieved as there are more than half-a-dozen cancer hospitals and an equal number are under construction in Assam thanks to the joint venture between the Assam government and Tata Trusts is building 17 cancer hospitals in the state.
Not so long ago, almost the whole population had to travel to Mumbai, Chennai and Vellore for quality treatment but not anymore. In a latest report by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) ‘Cancer Risk Factors and Health System Response in the Northeast’ reveals that close to a third (29.9%) of the cancer patients had sought healthcare outside of their state, the majority (63.6%) were availing of treatment at a government health facility.
Fillip to cancer care
The joint partnership between Assam Cancer Care Foundation and Tata Trusts conceptualised the distributed care model to provide to deliver standardised and affordable care closer to patients’ homes.
The foundation is expected to benefit 50% of cancer patients in Assam. At present close to 30,000 patients are benefitting from treatment and do not have to travel far for quality treatment. Top officials say that when all the hospitals become operational, 50,000 patients could get treatment.
Boost medial tourism
What Chennai and Mumbai is to African countries, Assam could be for Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar even China, Taiwan, Vietnam and other countries. The network of hospitals will not only serve the entire north-eastern states but could become the focal point for cancer care for all neighbouring countries.
Raghunandan K, a consultant says, “Assam has huge potential for medical tourism. Most of the neighbouring countries do not have state-of-the-art cancer hospitals. The cancer hospitals in Assam could tap medical tourism in a big way.”
1000 patients benefitted already
The cancer treatment is available free of cost under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) scheme and State Government’s Atal Amrit Abhiyan. According to official figures, more than 1,000 patients have already benefitted. In a major shift, one is witnessing many women availing treatment. In the past, women would avoid treatment fearing cost but not anymore. The State Government has reduced the cost of drugs.