PATNA: Health minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey on Sunday announced the government would celebrate Cancer Awareness Day on February 4 every year from next year.
“A week-long programme will be held in villages and cities on the day. Unless people are aware about cancer, no headway could be made in saving hundreds of people dying every year due to cancer in Bihar,” Choubey said at a winter carnival, ‘Frosty Fun’, held in Bankipore Club here.
The carnival was organised by Cancer Awareness Society (CAS).
The minister also announced the government would establish a super specialty hospital in the city. “This hospital will provide advanced medical care with special focus on cancer,” he said.
Saying that he wanted to constitute an advisory committee on cancer, Choubey announced: “Â Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences’ regional cancer institute will be soon provided with state-of-the art equipment to facilitate its work on the deadly disease.”
He called upon people to shun tobacco, gutkha, cigarettes and all other forms of tobacco. The health minister was bestowed lifelong membership of the CAS on the occasion.
CAS president T P Sinha also expressed concern over the alarming number of deaths caused by cancer in Bihar. “If the use of tobacco is banned, the number of cancer deaths can decrease by over 40%. But for it we need to organise extensive campaigns against tobacco use,” Sinha, the former Jharkhand’s DGP, said.
Urging the government to provide health insurance to cancer-affected people, noted surgeon and CAS vice-president Dr AA Hai said: “Many middle class people are not able to avail good cancer treatment due to lack of money.” Cervical cancer affects about 1.32 lakh Indian women, Hai said.
Justice Syed Nair Hussain and Justice Samrendra Pratap Singh also emphasised on the need for extensive awareness campaign to check the number of cancer deaths. Senior CAS member Khurshid Ahmed also addressed the people.
About 20 national and multinational companies had erected their stalls at the carnival. Several food stalls were put up. A number of visitors participated in the Mega Housie competition.
After several rounds of Housie competition, the first prize of a colour TV went to Ricky. The second prize was given to M Venkatraman, who also got a color TV, while the third prize of a gift hamper was given to Garima.
For best dress, Vikram Aditya was given first prize in male category while in female category Arpita Kothari was given the first prize.
Read more:Â Govt plans awareness drive to reduce cancer deaths – The Times of India
Its really good idea celebrating Cancer Awareness Day on February 4 every year from next year.