All females above the age of 40, visiting the Gynae OPD’s in the Government Hospital in the state will be encouraged for getting themselves physically examined for breast cancer by the female doctors and nursing staff present there. The move is aimed at early detection of initial symptoms of breast cancer among the females. Any female detected with any abnormal lump, secretion etc will be referred for further investigations to rule out the possibility of breast cancer. Special emphasis will be laid upon women who have a family history of any such cancer. Similarly females will also be sensitized regarding the initial symptoms of cervical cancer. The doctors will examine all female patients who volunteer for such physical examination. Even the patients visiting Dental OPDs will be examined for any signs of abnormality in oral cavity and suspected patients will be persuaded for further investigations.These were the directions given by Ms. Vini Mahajan, Principal Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Punjab, while discussing the outcomes of the report of the Population Based Cancer Registry recently unveiled by PGIMER, Chandigarh, with senior doctors of the health department Punjab during the Civil Surgeon’s Conference held here.
The directions were given after it was discussed during the conference that the cure rate of such cancers was far better if diagnosed in an initial/ early stage. Ms. Mahajan stated that the department would also provide educational material regarding cancers in the Govt. Hospitals and put up display boards. She said that as per the findings of the report, it evolved that the situation in Punjab is on the better side as compared to many other states of the country. The report further reflects that Breast cancer and Cervical & Uterus cancers were the more common among females, whereas oesophagus, prostate and oral cancers were more prevalent in males. She said with the advanced facilities now, the early detection of cancer is easily possible. Principal Secretary reiterated that Punjab Govt is committed to fight the menace of Cancer and a financial aid of Rs 1.50 Lakh is given under the Chief Minister Punjab Cancer Relief Fund to all the cancer patients in the state for treatment in any of the empanelled hospitals. 95 types of drugs for cancer treatment have been made available on subsidized rates. Treatment of cancer patients including OPD, tests, lab investigations and surgeries is already started in the Homi Bhaba Cancer Treatment & Research Centre at Sangrur with the help of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. Similarly, OPD services for cancer treatment are also functional in Cancer Hospital, Bathinda. Tertiary Care Cancer Hospitals at Fazilka and Hoshiarpur are being established. The cancer treatment facilities in the 3 Medical Colleges of the State have also been strengthened with modern equipment and infrastructure. A State Cancer Institute is also being established at Government Medical College Amritsar at a cost of Rs. 150 Crores.
Ms Vini Mahajan further exhorted the Civil Surgeons to ensure proper utilization of the funds being provided under National Health Mission. Any unspent funds left in the districts should be spent rationally as per the guidelines of the Government in order to provide better health care facilities to the people. She also said that incentives to ASHA workers for various services should be released timely. She asked the Civil Surgeons to personally ensure that facilities like cashless deliveries & medicines, free 1st 24 hour treatment in trauma cases, free treatment to all girl children of up-to 5 years age, services under ESI hospitals are provided smoothly in the health institutions. She emphasized that services of specialist doctors should be utilized rationally for patients coming with serious ailments, whereas normal cases should be referred only to MBBS doctors. She also told that the average footfall of patients in the OPD’s of various Government hospitals has nearly touched the figure of 2 Crore per year, which is an indication of increased reliance of more and more people upon the government health facilities. She said in order to tackle the increased work load, more staff is being recruited regularly in the govt hospitals. A merit list of 345 doctors have been prepared by Baba Farid Univeristy of Health Sciences, counselling for which is in process. Cabinet has also approved recruitment of another 200 doctors for the department.
Sh. Hussan Lal, MD Punjab Health Systems Corporation & NHM Punjab asked the Civil Surgeons to stress upon the Govt doctors to prescribe medicines to the patients that were available in the hospitals. He said that various types of good quality drugs as per the Essential Drug List have been made available in surplus in the Govt Hospitals and the benefit should be passed on to the people of the state as the Health Department is committed to provide free medicines to the patients visiting the govt hospitals. He also revealed that soon the X-ray & medicine envelopes/covers carrying attractive health awareness slogans will be provided in all the health institutions for the patients. Dr HS Bali, Director Health Services, Punjab and Dr Usha Bansal, Director, Family Welfare, Punjab was also present on the occasion.