For treatment, cancer patients prefer Bikaner to state hospitals

Praful Chander Nagpal

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Fazilka, December 21

Notwithstanding the tall claims of the state government of providing free cancer treatment in the state, most of the patients still prefer to go to Bikaner in neighbouring Rajasthan to get the treatment.

Official sources said that out of the total 158 cancer patients who applied for aid from the Chief Minister’s Cancer Relief Fund in Fazilka district, 93 are under treatment at the Acharya Tulsi Regional Cancer Treatment and Research Institute, Bikaner — established in 1940 — due to the alleged lack of facilities to cure the dreaded disease in the region.

“The hospital in Bikaner provides better medical facilities. Hence, most of the patients prefer to go there, some 325 km from Fazilka,” said Krishan Lal, a patient from Fazilka.

Cancer has been spreading its tentacles fast in the cotton-growing Malwa belt of the state. According to a survey conducted by the Health Department in November, 1,310 cancer patients have been detected in Fazilka district.

Unconfirmed sources said that the figure could be higher as some patients don’t disclose their disease. Out of a total of 1,310 patients, 641 fell prey to the disease while 655 are under treatment in different hospitals of the state and Bikaner.

Experts feel that excessive use of pesticides has contaminated the groundwater. Unhygienic conditions and bad eating habits has resulted in the spread of the disease.

Increasing incidents of cancer have created fear among the residents of the area.

After the death of rickshawpuller Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Chandmari village of Fazilka district, a few days back, four more members of his family have become victims to the disease.

Joginder Singh, brother of Gurmeet Singh, said that the Health Department had confirmed the initial symptoms of cancer in Gurmeet’s two daughters and two sons. The family was facing starvation, he said. Sources said that the survey was conducted on 103 patients to find out the satisfaction level of treatment and medicines offered by the Punjab Government.