35,000 Cancer Cases Registered On Telangana Portal, Says Dr Noori
The minister directed officials to increase the number of patients receiving chemotherapy: Reports
HYDERABAD: Telangana has registered 35,000 cancer cases on its newly introduced cancer portal since the disease was declared notifiable on April 7, according to renowned oncologist and government adviser Dr Noori Dattatreyudu. He said the launch of the portal marked a major step towards strengthening cancer surveillance and treatment,
Speaking after reviewing the state's cancer care initiatives on Tuesday, Dr Dattatredudu said Telangana was making progress in decentralising cancer treatment, screening and prevention. He said the state had established day-care cancer centres in all 33 districts, enabling patients to receive routine chemotherapy locally instead of travelling to the city.
He said 2.3 lakh girls out of the state's 3.4 lakh target population had received the human pappiloma virus (HPV) vaccine, achieving 67 per cent coverage. The vaccination programme is aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
Dr Dattatreyudu said the state's initiatives in cancer notification, registration, early detection and decentralised treatment were progressing rapidly. He also reviewed the services at MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre and Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (Nims), expressing satisfaction with the treatment facilities. He suggested certain upgrades to improve services.
Health minister Damodar Rajanarsimha, who chaired the review meeting, said cancer treatment services, which were earlier concentrated in the city were being extended to all districts. He said steps had been initiated to establish regional cancer centres.
Officials briefed the minister on cancer treatment at MNJ and Nims and the functioning of district-level chemotherapy centres. They said patients were being mapped district-wise after beginning treatment at the two major hospitals.
The minister directed officials to increase the number of patients receiving chemotherapy at district centres and reduce the need for patients to travel to the city. He also called for greater focus on prevention and screening and directed officials to make four additional mobile cancer screening units operational by January.
Dr Dattatreyudu said the declaration of cancer as a notifiable disease and the introduction of a cancer registry and portal would play an important role in controlling the disease. He also highlighted advanced facilities, including robotic surgeries and bone marrow transplantation, available at MNJ and Nims.
