Yogesh K Porwar & Sunil Lohan
H
ubballi:”The battle against cancer is the need of the hour and the research institutions must conduct more research to control cancer,”said former Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Basavaraj Bommai.
Inaugurating a public health mobile unit organized by the Karnataka Cancer Treatment and Research Institute at Navanagar,Hubballi,he emphasized that government hospitals lacked cancer treatment facilities.In North Karnataka,fewer people receive cancer treatment.
While 80% of people in Southern Karnataka have access to cancer treatment,only 30% in North Karnataka receive such care.
There is a need for strengthening cancer treatment facilities at the government level, just as he had done with dialysis and cochlear implant programs.
Bommai highlighted the high cost of cochlear implants, ranging from Rs.5 to 20 lakhs,and shared a personal story of twin children whose hearing was restored thanks to a cochlear implant initiative.
He stressed the need for sensitive administration and scientific thinking based on human values.”It’s not just about money;it’s about how we spend it,”he said.
The former CM explained the difference between cancer treatment and management and stressed that the government needs to be guided on how to manage cancer treatment, especially in this region.
The Karnataka Cancer Treatment and Research Institute must take a lead in this effort.”The battle against cancer is the need of the hour.We must expand cancer treatment centers using the Hubballi Cancer Hospital as a central hub,”he added.
He noted the growing credibility of the Institute,recalling a time when North Karnataka lacked a cancer hospital, even at KIMS (Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences).
Only Dr.R.B.Patil’s hospital provided cancer care.During a visit to KIMS,he saw women from rural areas sleeping in the hospital corridor due to lack of space.In response,he facilitated the opening of a cancer ward for women with a grant of 28 lakhs.
Though cancer cannot be completely eradicated, substantial research has been conducted to control it. Micro-level treatment systems have emerged,but more research is needed.Indian research institutions must intensify their efforts in this area,the MP said.
Bommai pointed out that two decades ago,only 11% of the population suffered from cancer, but the rate has since increased.He urged for more research and the development of effective medicines.
Former MP,Vijay Sankeshwar,Dr.B.R.Patil,and other staff of the Institute were present during the event.
