Chennai: Madras high court has directed the state government to reach out to people through media explaining to them that immunization has got nothing to do with cancer and also inform them that vaccination protects children from childhood cancer and specifically in childhood RMS (Rhabdomyosarcoma).
Disposing of a suo motu taken up HCP, a division bench comprising Justices S.Nagamuthu and Anita Sumanth said, "We are hopeful that the government would unfailingly reach out the people and sensitize them".
Taking cognizance of a news report published in a Tamil daily under the caption "Contusion caused by immunization injection resulted in a cancerous growth-A child aged 6 years struggles for life without treatment," the bench had on March 21 directed the authorities to admit the child in Adyar Cancer Institute and give treatment to him. Accordingly, the child was admitted into the hospital on the next day and treatment was being given to him.
During the course of hearing, when it was brought to the notice of the court by authorities that the immunization given to the child has got nothing to do with the present disease of cancer and occurrence of cancer following the immunization was not reported anywhere in the world, the bench referred the matter to the experts for their opinion.
After going through the reports, the bench said the cancerous growth on the right thigh of the child was not due to immunization injection given when the child was four months old.
"We apprehend that in future, the people, more particularly innocent, ignorant and remote villagers may be reluctant to take their child to the government institutions on time to immunize them. This will have a disastrous impact on the society. We are told that because of immunization some viral diseases have almost been eradicated in the country", the bench added and gave the directive.
As far as treatment to the child was concerned, the bench said the treatment be continued at the cost of the government, to ensure that the child lives his full span of life.
