Cancer cases increasing each year in North-East

July 30, 2023 29 Views No Comment

Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 30

Cancer cases have been in an increasing trend in the North-East during the past five years, informed a recent data provided in the Lok Sabha.

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research- National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR) National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) the total cancer cases in NE was 53046 in 2022, the highest in last five years.

The five-year data provided by the Minister of State (MoS) in The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Prof Satya Pal Singh Baghel informed that it stood at 47881 in 2018.

This increased to 49067 in 2019, 50317 in 2020, 51675 in 2021 and 53046 in 2022, showing a continuous increase.

The North East region of India accounts for 3.6% of the total cancer incidence cases in the country during the last five years, the MoS reply informed.

However, the ministry did not provide a state-wise data.

Citing the ICMR-NCDIR’s National Cancer Registry Programme Report 2020, the MoS data further informed that the leading type (site) of cancer in Nagaland from 2012-16 among males was Nasopharynx, followed by Stomach and Oesophagus.

Among the females, the leading site of cancer was Cervix uteri, followed by breast and stomach.

Meanwhile, the MoS stated that the Union Government is currently implementing

‘Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centres Facilities Scheme’ in order to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer.
Under the scheme, 19 State Cancer Institute (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCCs) have been approved under the said scheme.

Out of this, 17 facilities are functional so far, including five institutes in North–East are approved.

These are Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Assam (SCI); State Cancer Institute, Aizwal, Mizoram (TCCC); District Hospital, Kohima, Nagaland (TCCC); Multispecialty Hospital at Sochygang, Sikkim (TCCC); and Cancer Hospital, Agartala, Tripura (SCI)
There is also focus on Oncology in its various aspects in case of AIIMS in Guwahati, Assam under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY), the MoS said.

Prof Baghel further underscored that cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facilities.

The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy, he said.

Treatment of Cancers is also available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments, he highlighted.
Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, with an objective to make available Cancer drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-visthe maximum retail price, the MoS added.