The Hindu : Cancer institute offers package for patients

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 23, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Cancer institute offers package for patients

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD June 22. The Indo-American Cancer Institute and Research Centre here on Sunday announced a new scheme named after the late Basava Tarakam, wife of N.T. Rama Rao, for treatment of cancer patients belonging to the lower economic strata.

The Health Minister and chairman of the institute, Kodela Siva Prasada Rao, told reporters that the scheme was aimed at providing treatment for women suffering from cancer cervix, which constitutes 30 to 40 per cent of all cancer cases.

It is predominant among women in the lower socio-economic group because of early marriages, frequent childbirths, poor personal hygiene and sexually transmitted diseases.

The institute had treated over 2000 cases of carcinoma cervix in the last three years. Most of them were women from rural areas who had discontinued treatment as they were unable to bear the hospital cost. Only a total treatment with telecobalt followed by brach therapy gave best results and increased the longevity of the patient.

Under the new scheme, the patient would be offered a package of Rs.10,000 towards protocol charges, treatment planning, simulation, 25 days' treatment in Cobalt followed by high dose rate brach therapy three times. The scheme could be availed of by white ration cardholders, pensioners with an income of less than Rs. 2,000 per month and patients aged beyond 70.

Dr. Siva Prasada Rao said the institute had completed three years of existence during which it treated over 12,000 cancer patients and screened 8,500 individuals at the free cancer screening programme.

Answering questions, the Minister said the Government would take the necessary action against hospitals colluding in the racket of selling kidney after receiving the report of a committee headed by the Director of Medical Education.

The Government was also examining amendments to the existing laws to give a boost to cadaver transplants.

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