GUWAHATI: With rise in the number of cancer cases in Assam, chief minister Tarun Gogoi on Monday said there should be an intensive research to find out the causes behind the rise. The state government is planning to set up state-of-the-art diagnostic centres in 10-12 towns across the state.
Addressing a meeting held on the occasion of the 40th foundation day of B Borooah Cancer Institute, Gogoi said, "The number of cancer patients are increasing rapidly. It might be due to various factors such as sedentary lifestyle, food habits, climate change and consumption of tobacco. The incidence of cancer varies from region to region. In some places, it is high while in other places, it is low. There should a thorough research to assess the causes of cancer."
He said early detection of cancer, preventive measures and awareness can save lives of many people. "With advancement of medical science and new technologies, people are living longer. The number of diseases is also on the rise. The state has made immense progress in the health sector, but there is still a lot to be done. We need to have latest technologies and manpower to tackle various diseases. We are planning to set up more diagnostic centres in the state apart from the existing six centres," he added.
The chief minister inaugurated a state-of-the-art digital X-ray machine and laid the foundations of a housing quarter for married employees, guest house for patients (second unit) and PET-CT building. Gogoi said similar facilities are likely to be set up in other medical colleges of the state, as well. Vice-chancellor of Srimanta Sankaradeva University of Health Sciences Umesh Sharma said priority should be laid on research activities to tackle cancer. Sufficient funds are available with the University for Research Projects and doctors and researchers should submit papers, he added.
