Health institutions to be mapped under cancer mission

Ma. Subramanian, Health Minister, inauguration of Apollo Cancer centre introduction of Elekta Harmony Pro. at the Vanagraram in Chennai on Wednesday.
| Photo Credit: M. SRINATH

All health institutions in the government and private sector will be mapped in a “hub-and-spoke” model to develop a comprehensive referral mechanism under the Tamil Nadu Cancer Care Mission that aims to strengthen early diagnosis of cancer, Health Secretary Supriya Sahu said on Wednesday.

The State had announced a new cancer management mission in its health budget in 2024. “Under this mission, we are looking at strengthening early diagnosis, which is key to cancer care,” she said at an event during which Health Minister Ma. Subramanian inaugurated Apollo Hospital’s third cancer centre [Apollo Cancer Centre] in Chennai at Vanagaram. A radiation therapy machine for precise cancer treatment was unveiled on the occasion.

She said that they can collaborate and see what learnings from the private sector can be incorporated. “It is about safe, affordable, effective and continuum of care. It will be a gamechanger if we come together for effective collaboration,” Ms. Surpriya Sahu said.

Ranipet, Tirupattur, Erode and Kanyakumari were taken up as pilot districts for screening targeted populations for cervical and breast cancers at the community level. Tiruvallur was also added to the initiative, she said. “The government is leading in guiding the community for early diagnosis, referral and treatment,” she added.

Several steps have been taken to provide latest diagnostics for government hospitals. There were five regional cancer centres and the process for strengthening them was being initiated, she said.

Speaking on the occasion, the Health Minister said that the community-based cancer screening programme was being expanded across the State at a cost of Rs. 27 crore. He added that work to upgrade the Government Arignar Anna Memorial Cancer Hospital, Karapettai, Kancheepuram, would be completed soon and would be inaugurated by the Chief Minister.

Under the community-based cancer screening programme in Erode, Tirupattur, Ranipet and Kanyakumari, a total of 12,12,205 persons were screened for cancer of which 133 persons were newly diagnosed with cancer, he said.

Prathap C. Reddy, founder and chairman, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, in a press release, said that opening of the new centre in Vanagaram would enhance access to top-tier cancer care for patients across Chennai and surrounding region.

Preetha Reddy, executive vice chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd, said, “As institutions, as doctors and as healthcare professionals, we need to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) wisely and for better clinical outcomes.” She added that AI should be a clinician’s assistant, and cannot replace a clinician.

A free cancer screening programme for 1,000 patients was also launched. Dinesh Madhavan, president, Group Oncology and International, Apollo Hospitals and Harshad Reddy, director, Group Oncology and International, Apollo Hospitals also spoke.