THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though the government has been providing 50 per cent fare concession for cancer patients in KSRTC buses, owing to lack of publicity the facility is not being used by required number of people.
The government has now decided to create awareness among cancer patients across the state about the concession. According to estimates nearly 40,000 new cancer cases are reported in the state annually.
As per the decision, 50 per cent concession is available for cancer patients to reach medical colleges, regional cancer centres and authorised medical centres from their permanent residential places for treatment and also for their return journey.
The concession is available in KSRTC's all ordinary buses, city fast, limited stop, limited stop fast passenger and non reserved fast passenger buses.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that though the official order in this connection was issued in 2012, not many patients were aware of the decision. He appealed to the cancer patients to make use of the facility.
According to government statistics, the state has close to 2.5 lakh cancer patients of which at least 2000 to 2500 required treatment in each district. A big chunk of these patients avail treatment at the regional cancer centres.
According to medical experts, eighty per cent of cancer treatment is met through out-of-pocket expenses, badly affecting patients in the lowest socio-economic strata. The fare concession in KSRTC brings big relief to the people.
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