Shimla
Himachal Pradesh is grappling with the sudden rise of cancer cases. In terms of population, one out of every 225 people are suffering from cancer disease. As per the data from the Health and Family Welfare Department, more than 32903 cancer cases have been registered within the different hospitals of the state.
The cancer hospitals are available in Shimla, Kangra, Mandi, Sirmaur, Chamba and Hamirpur districts. The maximum number of cases have been recorded in Tanda Medical College in Kangra district with 19135 patients while in IGMC Shimla district it is 11,343 , whereas in Nahan Medical College in Sirmaur it is 1,471, Hamirpur Medical College it is 535, in Nerchowk Medical College in Mandi it is 424 and in Chamba Medical College it is one. According to the report of the technical group by the National Commission, the population of Himachal Pradesh is estimated to be 75.18 lakhs by 1 July 2024 and one person out of 225 persons is suffering from this disease.
Agriculture and horticulture expert Dr SP Bhardwaj says that the increasing use of chemicals in vegetable production is also one of the reasons for the increasing cases of cancer. Research by Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar Horticulture and Forestry University Nauni (Solan) shows that chemicals are being used heavily in the cultivation of fruits and vegetables in the state. The amount of residue of pesticides and fungicides in 3 to 4 percent of fruit and vegetable samples is more than the prescribed limit. The use of chemicals in Himachal is 1 per cent more than the national average.
IGMC and Himachal Pradesh University are jointly researching the increasing cases of cancer. This research has revealed how much of the pesticides used in the fields are going into the water source, which is increasing the cases of cancer. The results of the research will be out in the next 6 to 8 months. Let us tell you that cancer patients are getting free treatment in Himachal. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while presiding over the meeting of the State Advisory Board on Cancer and Palliative Care Program in Shimla last month, had announced free treatment and medicines for cancer. He said that the state government will provide 42 medicines free of cost for the treatment of cancer. This includes the trastuzumab vaccine, which costs around Rs 40,000. These medicines are being made available in government hospitals.
According to Chief Minister Sukhu, the highest number of cancer cases have been reported in the northeastern states of the country. Himachal Pradesh ranks second in the country in terms of cancer cases in proportion to the population. Given this, a decision has been taken to provide relief to cancer patients.
