Cancer surge

With 60,000 cancer cases recorded in Haryana during 2023-24, the state presents a dire public health crisis that demands immediate intervention. As per recent reports, districts like Fatehabad, Sirsa and Hisar have been particularly witnessing a surge in cases, with rural areas being the worst affected. The state’s Cancer Registry data highlights a disturbing trend — one that experts link to excessive pesticide use, industrial pollution and poor healthcare access. Agricultural communities, the backbone of Haryana’s economy, bear the brunt of this crisis. Decades of indiscriminate pesticide use has seeped into groundwater, exposing generations to carcinogenic substances. Despite multiple studies flagging this risk, regulatory inaction has allowed the problem to fester. Meanwhile, industrial hubs like Panipat and Faridabad continue to spew toxins into the air, further compounding the crisis. The consequence? An overburdened healthcare system struggling to cope with an ever-increasing number of patients.

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The government’s response so far has been inadequate. While cancer detection camps and Ayushman Bharat insurance provide some relief, they fail to address the root causes. The need of the hour is a multi-pronged approach — strict environmental regulations, better rural healthcare infrastructure and public awareness campaigns about carcinogenic risks. Farmers, in particular, must be guided toward organic and sustainable agricultural practices. Moreover, government hospitals lack adequate oncology facilities, forcing patients to travel long distances for treatment or rely on expensive private care.

Haryana cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer. A state that prides itself on economic growth cannot let its citizens succumb to preventable diseases. The rising cancer cases are not just a statistic; they are a reflection of governance failures and misplaced priorities. Unless swift, corrective measures are taken, the silent epidemic will continue to claim lives, leaving families devastated and communities in despair.