Odisha government planning to centrally procure chemo medicine

Bhubaneswar: With cancer emerging as a public health problem in the state, Odisha government is planning to centrally procure chemotherapy medicines in order to provide free of cost treatment to the poor patients, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Atanu S Nayak.

"We are also in the process of signing of MoU with leading pharmaceutical company to manufacture chemotherapy drugs in 60-70 per cent concession in bulk purchase," Nayak said while participating a function marking observation of the National Cancer Awareness Day organised by IMA.

Stating that cancer is also a curable disease, if detected at the early stage by modern methods of treatment, the minister said onco surgery, medical oncology, radio- oncology, genetic oncology have advanced lot nowadays to cure many cancers. Only thing is that they should be treated early, he said.

The state government has been developing cancer diagnosis facility at District head-quarter Hospitals, also under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVD and Stroke (NPCDCS), he said.

"All District Hospitals will be providing cancer diagnosis facility soon under the programme. Screening programme for early detection of cancer particularly cervical, breast and oral cavity will be started at every CHC/PHCs by providing training to all doctors and paramedical and arranging Logistics," the minister said.

This apart, the minister said the state have developed proposal to convert AHRCC, Cuttack as 500 bedded, an Art of Excellence State Cancer Institute (SCI) very soon where all modern technology of Cancer diagnosis and management will be introduced, he said.

The state have also planned to develop two medical colleges as Tertiary Cancer Care Centre with supports under NPCDCS programme. "We are in process of submitting proposals to Government of India soon. AIIMS, Bhubaneswar will have 50 exclusive beds for cancer patients. We will also develop partnership with private cancer hospitals also, so that no cancer patient will require going out of state for diagnosis and treatment," the minister said.

However, the minister said success of all these initiations require active participation of people and that only can be achieved if all people are made aware about cancer through our sincere efforts.