Assam Governor Prof. Jagdish Mukhi said that Southeast Asian Region is going through a demographic as well as rapid urbanization and accelerated life style changes. All of these are contributing to the growing burden of non-communicable diseases including cancer. Guwahati being the Gateway to the South East Asian nations is also witnessing growing instances of cancer.
Speaking at the golden jubilee year celebrations of Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute here yesterday, the Governor said that in view of the increasing cases of cancer being reported in the region, Guwahati should have sound cancer care infrastructure to treat the people of entire Northeast and ASEAN countries. Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute can truly take the lead in the management of cancer treatment by adopting latest technologies and best global practices. He said that he is happy to see this institute has really stepped up its efforts in taking up the challenges of cancer care.
The Governor said that though unabated spread of cancer continues to be a matter of great concern for everyone, of late, the government took several programmes at the national and state levels aiming at preventive, curative and palliative care of cancer. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) made cancer a notifiable disease on a national basis with the objective of generating authentic data on cancer and associated issues. This has been done to map the resources for diagnosis, treatment and cancer control. Reliable data will really help in understanding the magnitude of this disease and formulating a more comprehensive cancer care policy for the nation, the Governor added.
Prof. Mukhi said that Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute with its dedicated team of doctors, researchers and paramedics is providing quality cancer care to the people. In Assam, about thirty-four thousand new cancer patients are detected every year. Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness, poverty, fear and myths associated with cancer, almost two-third of the patients present themselves at advanced stage. He, therefore, reiterated on the improved literacy, greater consciousness about health in general and awareness about cancer in particular to report cases of suspected cancer cases at an early stage. He said that along with clinical care to the cancer cases, Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute should step up its efforts to generate widespread awareness about cancer.
The Governor also said that human resource generation in Oncology is an area which needs urgent attention. He said that he is happy to learn that Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute has started various post-graduate and super specialty courses in oncology and M.Sc in Oncology Nursing and Medical Physics to augment human resources. Moreover, Assam Cancer Care Foundation which is a joint partnership between the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts to create three-level cancer grid in the state for the cancer patients
Since affordable, accessible and equitable cancer care is the mandate of the Government of India, in view of this BBCI has made necessary provisions for free treatment to patients under Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana and Atal Amrit Abhiyan. The Governor moreover, said that irrespective of the increased interventions on the part the government, Dr. B. Barooah Cancer Hospital should try and motivate all stake holders and the people in general to bring down the incidences of cancer by adopting a healthy lifestyle. Moreover, he also appealed to all the health professionals in the State to provide compassionate care to patients and emulate the ideals of Lokabandhu Dr Bhubaneswar Borooah.
The Governor on this occasion, paid his rich tributes to the founders of Dr B Borooah Cancer Society Trust like Debendra Nath Sarma, Dr. Kanak Chandra Borooah, Bimala Prasad Chaliha, Mohendra Mohan Chowdhury, Bishnuram Medhi, Dr. Ghanashyam Das, Dr. Birendra Nath Chowdhury and many others for taking a historic decision in 1958 to establish this premier Institute in memory of Dr Bhubaneswar Borooah.
Former Governor of Meghalaya R.S.Mooshahary, Secretary, Northeastern Council Shillong K Moses Chalai, Vice Chancellor of Assam Science and Technology University Prof. Narendra S Chaudhari, Director of Dr.BBCI Dr.A.C.Kataki, Deputy Director (Academics) Tata Memorial Centre Mumbai Dr.Siddhartha Laskar along with a host of other dignitaries were present in the function.
