“1.20 crore women screened for breast cancer in State”

A total of 1.20 crore women above 35 years of age were screened for breast cancer in the State, said Health Minister C. Vijaya Baskar here on Thursday.

Talking to reporters during his inspection of Kanyakumari Government Hospital, he said that the mammography test to detect breast cancer among the women was being done for free under the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme.

Diabetes screening and master health check-up were also done for pregnant women under the scheme, he noted.

He assured to take measures for the functioning of the mortuary at the hospital.

Later, addressing a review meeting at the Collectorate, the Minister exhorted the officials to prevent deaths due to dengue through sustained and multi-dimensional activities.

Since the district headquarters hospital and the medical college hospital had been equipped with blood analysis equipment, the doctors should make use of this facility and give the maximum possible medical assistance to patients, he said.

All government hospitals and primary health centres across the State had got adequate stock of medicines for dengue and there was no need for panic.

Distribution of ‘nilavembu kudineer’ and sap of papaya leaf to the patients would accelerate recovery.

He said that though many people died of dengue in some parts of the country, it was under control in Tamil Nadu due to the multi-dimensional activities initiated by the State government.

Expressing satisfaction over the inspections by Collector Sajjansingh R. Chavan to monitor dengue prevention activities, the Minister directed the officials to intensify measures to contain spread of aedes mosquitos by removing all discarded materials and water containers which provided a breeding ground for them before the onset of monsoon.

The Minister earlier inspected the primary health centres at Kottaram and Thovalai, Ayurvedhic dispensary at Suchindram and the Ayurvedhic college in Kottar.

Baby kits

He also gave baby kits to the mothers of newborn babies at Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital, and inspected fogging operations at Anna Nagar in Thovalai.

Mr. Chavan, former Health Minister N. Thalavai Sundaram, Nagercoil MLA Nanjil A. Murugesan, Director of Medical Education S. Geethalakshmi, Director of Health and Rural Welfare A. Chandranathan and Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicines K. Kuzhandaisamy accompanied the Minister.