The two day Mass Cancer Screening and Treatment Campaign began today as camps were organized in all the District Hospitals of Punjab and the Medical Colleges of Patiala, Faridkot and Amritsar.Cancer Screening and Treatment Campaign launched by the Health Department Punjab in collaboration with Max Healthcare, other Private Health Institutions and various NGOs received a warm response as more than 11,000 people visited these camps on the first day. Health & Family Welfare Minister, Sh Surjit Kumar Jayani inaugurated the camp at Civil Hospital Fazilka and supervised the arrangements and interacted with public and medical specialists from Punjab and other states. Health Minister interacting with the Media persons said that that duty roster for each district had been prepared including medical, paramedical and support staff. This includes Medical Officers (MBBS), Medical Specialist (Oncology, Surgery& Gynecology), 2 Pathologists, 20-25 Staff Nurses, 30 Nursing Students, Supporting Staff including 4-6 Data Entry Operator, 10 Ward attendant/Class IV & 5 sweepers for each camp.He said that patients in these camps are being examined by a team of Specialists and Super Specialists of cancer from India & abroad and expert consultation is being made available to the needful. Available tests during the camps are being done free of cost.
Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health & Medical Education and Research visited the Camp at Jalandhar. Mrs. Vinni Mahajan said that the persons who were found to have any symptom of cancer during 1st Phase of State Wide Cancer Awareness & Symptom Based Early Detection Door to Door Campaign were encouraged to visit the camps for further investigations/treatment and get expert opinion at district levels, which is not routinely available. Known cases of cancer or patients with such symptoms have been motivated to avail this facility in the camps.Other senior officials of the Health Department, Punjab Mr. Hussan Lal, Mission Director, National Health Mission, Punjab visited Mohali camp, Dr A. Kartik, Additional Secretary Health went to Ropar, Dr Ashok Nayyar, Director Health Services, Punjab visited Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa and Moga, Dr Karanjit Singh, Director Family Welfare visited Amritsar & Tarn Taran districts, Dr V.K. Gagneja visited Hoshiarpur districts to oversee the smooth functioning of the camps. All Deputy Director level officers were also deputed to various districts for supervision of the camps.