ITANAGAR: In a bid to make Arunachal Pradesh a cancer-free state, Health Minister Alo Libang announced plans for a full-fledged cancer hospital equipped with necessary staff and advanced technologies. This announcement was made during the inauguration of a three-day ‘cancer detection and awareness camp’ at St Claret College auditorium in Lower Subansiri HQ Ziro on Saturday.
Libang emphasised the government’s commitment to battle the disease, “I am sure we will soon have our own cancer hospital.” He further disclosed plans to organise similar camps in Papum Pare and Pasighat due to the high prevalence of cancer cases in those regions.
Adding to the state’s fight against cancer, Libang announced the recent rollout of two mobile vans by the health department dedicated to cancer patients. He also showed support for the Tani Supun Dukun’s (TSD) proposal of constructing a 10-bedded tertiary cancer hospital at Gyati Takka General Hospital (GTGH).
Local MLA and Agriculture Minister Tage Taki called upon the health department to explore the link between Ziro valley’s food habits, water content, and cancer. Echoing the minister’s concerns, he said, “Registration of more than 1,000 persons for the cancer detection camp is an alarming sign.”
Dr Bamin Tada, former health adviser to the North Eastern Council and convener of the camp, stressed the urgent need for state-based cancer treatment facilities, highlighting that 33% of the state’s cancer patients seek treatment outside Arunachal Pradesh.
The ongoing camp, organised by the Arunachal Cancer Welfare Society in association with the Guwahati-based Dr B Barooah Cancer Institute (BBCI) and the Council of Baptist Churches in Northeast, collaborates with the District Health Society and the district administration, as per the Lower Subansiri DIPRO release.
An overwhelming 1,251 individuals registered for the free cancer detection test during the camp. Preliminary findings from the tests have so far identified 22 suspected cancer cases, with results for 12 of them still pending.
