The government’s effort to decentralise cancer treatment and make it a low-cost affair by delivering follow-up treatment and care, including chemotherapy, through district hospitals is gaining ground in the State.
The 12th Plan envisaged major interventions by the State in cancer care and Plan funds amounting to Rs.5 crore had been set aside in 2012-13. In subsequent years, however, this was, reduced to Rs.2.2 crore a year
Follow-up treatment
It was proposed that a district cancer care centre (DCC) be set up in every district to deliver follow-up treatment and chemotherapy to cancer patients. Health Service doctors would be trained in delivering follow-up treatment and in administering chemo drugs.
In the initial year (2013), the programme was started in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki, Wayanad, Malappuram, Palakkad, and Kasaragod.
Each of the institution was given Plan funds of Rs. 50 lakh each. Though in the second year, the funds went down to Rs.30 lakh, the programme was expanded to other districts also.
Now, except in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode, the programme is running full-fledged in all other districts. This year, additional centres are being opened in Kollam, Mavelikkara and Mananthavady.
“Since June 2013, our doctors in the periphery have detected 2,122 new cases of cancer (the accuracy rate was 94 per cent). Over 5,000 sessions of chemotherapy have also been done so far, apart from other services which cancer patients may require in advanced stages of the disease. The facilities are utilised by people, especially in districts such as Wayanad and Malappuram,” a senior health official said.
The Health Service has had 16 of its doctors undergo intensive training in oncology at the RCC and the district centres are managed by these doctors. The three-month programme focussed on early identification of cancer signs, handling biopsies and smear, delivering chemotherapy and the theory and practical training in understanding tumour markers. The doctors will undergo refresher training again this year.
Treatment is planned and always initiated at the RCC or other tertiary care centres, while the DCCs deliver follow-up care and chemotherapy as instructed by the treating doctors.
Complaints
There have been complaints about the lack of infrastructure and facilities in many district hospitals to deliver chemotherapy comfortably to patients. But for many patients, the DCCs have helped them avoid the strain and expenses of travelling to the RCC or medical college for follow-up care. The chemo drugs are being procured for the patient by the district centres through Karunya outlets.
