Chandigarh, May 8: In the recent past, Haryana Government has set a lot of emphasis on strengthening the healthcare system in the state. With several patient-friendly and people-friendly initiatives to fortify the healthcare sector, the Haryana Government under the vibrant leadership of Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal, ensured that no one in the state got left out of getting the state-of-the-art facilities within Haryana and that too at affordable prices. Likewise, Haryana Government has opened the doors for people to tackle deadly diseases like cancer in the state by providing them with advanced cancer care facilities. 

To create comprehensive cancer care facilities under one roof for providing affordable treatment to needy patients, Haryana Government has set up the Atal Cancer Tertiary Care Centre (ACTCC) at Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. This one-of-its-kind centre will be inaugurated on May 9 by Chief Minister, Sh Manohar Lal and Rajya Sabha MP & BJP National President, Sh J.P. Nadda. Haryana Health Minister Sh Anil Vij and MP Sh Rattan Lal Kataria will also be present on this occasion.

According to the Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal, “Establishment of Tertiary Care Centre at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt will strengthen Cancer treatment facilities & accessible, affordable and comprehensive treatment will be provided to the Cancer patients from Haryana & neighbouring States. It could be seen as a cornerstone in State’s approach to beat cancer.”

Sh Manohar Lal said, “Various Specialized posts (Surgical, Medical and Radiation Oncologist, Radiation Physicist cum RSO, Radiation Therapy Technologist) and other HR have been created for Atal Cancer Tertiary Care Centre, Ambala Cantt to enhance the facilities. Latest high-end equipment like Linear Accelerator, Brachytherapy Unit, CT Simulator, etc. have been installed to provide advanced treatment for patients.”

Apart from this, the State Government has taken numerous steps to ensure that the needy patients get as much facilities as they need in Haryana for the prevention/treatment of not only cancer but for every health condition.

Awareness is the key

Spreading awareness about this deadly disease among people is an integral part of the government’s approach to tackle cancer in the state. It is important to know that one-third of cancers are preventable. Another one-third can be treated effectively if detected well in time and one-third of cancers are seen in advanced stages where treatment outcome is compromised. The Health Department Haryana as per directed by the Chief Minister Sh Manohar Lal is already doing various awareness activities i.e. Observation of National Cancer Awareness Day, World Cancer Day & early detection by issuing advertisements in newspapers, displaying banners & performing various activities e.g. health talks, delivering lectures, organizing screening camps at various health institutes.

Promoting healthy lifestyle

With the aforesaid activities, the Health Department’s major focus is on promoting a healthy lifestyle, avoiding excessive consumption of fatty & spicy food, prohibiting excessive use of pesticides, and avoiding the use of tobacco in any form and alcohol (About 50% of cancers are tobacco-related), awareness about early symptoms of disease, and regular screening of women for common cancers i.e. Ca cervix, Breast cancer etc. after the age of 30. Population-Based Screening (PBS) of 30 years and above population is being carried out for common cancers under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in all the districts of the state for early detection.

A big push to healthcare infrastructure

In Haryana, labs have been strengthened for diagnosis of cancer and Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC), Pap Smear, Fluid Cytology, Biopsy etc. are being performed at District Civil Hospitals. Apart from this, Free Travel Facility (FTF) is being provided to Cancer Patients along with 1 attendant in Haryana Roadways Ordinary buses for visiting the institutes for treatment & follow-up. With this push, several patients are being benefitted every year in Haryana.