TIRUPATI: Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), in collaboration with the state government, is planning to establish cancer identification centres in each district for supporting the government’s campaign to free every district in AP from cancer.
Speaking as chief guest of a 10-day cancer awareness and training programme organised by Sri Padmavati Mahila Medical College (SPMMC) on Tuesday for community health officers (CHOs) and mid-level health providers (MLHPs) of Tirupati district, TTD executive officer (EO) A.V. Dharma Reddy said the devasthanam will provide medical professionals and necessary infrastructure at the cancer screening centres, as part taking cancer screening and treatment to every doorstep.
He underlined the importance of early screening and diagnosis for effective treatment of cancer. He attributed rise in cancer cases to lifestyle factors and prevalence of fast junk food culture.
Dharma Reddy pointed out that the Sri Balaji Institute of Oncology, a unit of TTD’s Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences (SVIMS), is now offering cutting-edge treatment for all kinds of cancers with world-class medical equipment and expertise.
He disclosed that SV Vedic University will soon conduct a training programme on Yoga and its application in cancer prevention and treatment.
Tirupati collector K. Venkataramana Reddy said preliminary estimates reveal that 10 per cent of the district's population is prone to cancer. To address this concern, they have put in place training modules for cancer screening and treatment, developed in coordination with Tata Cancer Institute, SVIMS and the district administration.
TTD JEO Sada Bhargavi shared plans of SVIMS to establish permanent cancer screening centres at Gudur, Srikalahasti, and Chandragiri.
SPMMC principal Dr. Charan B. Singh, Community Medicine Wing head Dr. Nagaraj and SBIC OSD Dr. Jayachandra Reddy were among those present.
