RTI info belies health minister on number of cancer patients
The number of cancer patients in the state is much higher than what the health minister has claimed on June 28 this year. The health minister had claimed that there were 5,276 cancer patients in the state, but the number of cancer patients getting treatment at just two state-run hospitals was more than the said number.
The number of cancer patients in the state is much higher than what the health minister has claimed on June 28 this year.
The health minister had claimed that there were 5,276 cancer patients in the state, but the number of cancer patients getting treatment at just two state-run hospitals was more than the said number. The information was gathered by president of Bhai Kanahia Cancer Roko Sewa Society, Faridkot, Gurpreet Singh Chandbaja, under the RTI Act from two sate-run hospitals, Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, and Government Medical College, Patiala.
"The health minister stated that there were only 5,276 patients in the state. As per the RTI information, about 2,810 patients are getting treatment from Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital, Faridkot, and 3,624 others from Goverment Medical College, Patiala. So, the total number of cancer patients getting treatment from just two government hospitals is about 6,434, which is higher than the number stated by the heath minister," Chandbaja said.
He said that the health minister had claimed that there were only 147 patients from Faridkot, but as per the information, 865 patients from Faridkot were getting treatment farom Guru Gobind Singh Medical Colleg,e Faridkot, while 172 from Government Medical College, Patiala.
"From a small district like Faridkot, 1,037 cancer patients are getting treatment from just two hospitals. There are many others who may be getting treatment form somewhere else. Some cases even go unreported," Chandbaja said.
"We want the government to find out the exact number of the cancer patients in the state and find out the reasons behind the spread of the disease," he said.