Last Updated on December 4, 2022 by Neelam Singh
It has always been a challenge to ensure medical facilities in hilly areas because of geographic obstacles. In the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, for example, shortage of medical experts is as high as 57 per cent. The situation has improved little despite starting bond-based education in the medical colleges so that more doctors are available to cater to patients. The challenge has been multiplied by the growing cases of cancer in Uttarakhand which is one of the worst-affected states in India.
Cancer itself has become a traumatic term for the people in the state due to its increasing cases. The shocking part is people are discovering that they have got cancer when they are undergoing diagnosis and treatment for some other ailment. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, the number of cancer patients in Uttarakhand is growing faster than that in the whole country. While patients diagnosed with the deadly disease nationally are growing annually at 9.2 per cent, the figure is 10.15 per cent in Uttarakhand. One report said that among Uttarakhand’s cancer patients, 28.97 per cent have either their mouth or lungs infected by the disease.
When addiction leaves a trail of destruction
Ramesh Joshi, a resident of Guna village in Almora district of Uttarakhand, grew an addiction for ‘gutkha’ (tobacco) at a young age, so much so that he even consumed 10 to 15 packets in a day. He managed to get the packets despite having no money, through friends. After a while, he even became alcoholic and the consequences of these habits started taking a physical toll on him by the time he turned 33. Ramesh was diagnosed with cancer and since his family could not financially afford treatment at a private hospital, he was admitted in a government hospital where it was affordable, but the availability of doctors was far from satisfactory.
When a department for treating cancer was opened at Swami Ram Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Haldwani in 2010, the yearly number of patients there was between 2,800-3,000. Today, it has gone up to 9,500 and 10,000. This is a major concern for the state for which action needs to be taken immediately. Besides, it is also important to review the work that is currently going on to deal with the public health menace.
More ‘gutkha’ sold than grocery items
Harish Singh, a local shopkeeper in Sheela Lekh village, said there is a bigger demand for addictive products such as ‘gutkha’ at his shop than grocery items such as wheat and rice. According to him, he sells wheat and rice worth Rs 20,000 every month whereas the sale of ‘gutkha’ touches around Rs 45,000, more than double. And this is from a small shop in a village with a modest population size.
Today’s educated society is fully aware of the danger that addiction poses but yet there is no stopping. The need of the hour is to educate ourselves more so that we can spread greater awareness among others and help minimise loss of lives caused by fatal addiction.
Prevention is the key
Dr Mahesh Gupta (not real name) from T B Sanatorium in Bhowali, Nainital, said a major reason behind the growing cases of cancer in Uttarakhand is consumption of tobacco items such as cigarettes, ‘bidi’ and ‘gutkha’. It causes oral cancer and most of the people who get it are youngsters which is another worry. He also said that consuming adulterated items and fast food is another reason for the fast spreading of cancer. The disease can be kept at bay through a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding adulterated food and drink, smoking and doing exercise regularly.
It is also important to treat cancer by taking appropriate medical advice on time. It is a responsibility of the government to ensure an effective treatment procedure for the killer ailment is in place so that people, especially those who live in the rural hilly areas, can successfully deal with it and live a healthy life.
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