The Hindu : 'Make cancer treatment affordable'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 20, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Tamil Nadu

'Make cancer treatment affordable'

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI JUNE 19. Cancer cure and research in the dreaded disease are the future challenges of the medical fraternity, the President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, said today.

Inaugurating the `Paterson Cancer Center' on the Vijaya Health Centre premises here, Dr. Kalam stressed creating greater awareness of cancer and its detection at an early stage. The President said he came across several cases, where because of a delay in diagnosis, the ailment turned serious. He cited the instance of a six-year-old brought to him by his grandfather, who underwent a bone marrow transplant.

Only a few hospitals in the country had the facility to give treatment and here again there were only about 100 beds. The treatment must be introduced in more hospitals, he said.

Dr. Kalam suggested that telemedicine could also be used for diagnosis. Cancer treatment needed a new mindset. Patients, who were under the shadow of uncertainty, deserved the best treatment, which should be the motto of all centres.

Therapeutic procedures should be made affordable. Treatment centres should maintain active continuity with general practitioners.

The President pressed a button to unveil a plaque to mark the inauguration of the centre.

The Governor, P.S.Ramamohan Rao, released a souvenir and the President received the first copy.

The centre, named after Ralston Paterson, considered `Father of Radio Therapy', had indoor and outdoor facilities for detection, diagnosis, treatment, diet and prevention of cancer.

The Managing Director, S.Vijayaraghavan, and the Director, Kailashmull Dugar, spoke.

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