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Involve NGOs for early cancer intervention: Shantha

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Networking with non-government organisations for early cancer intervention and a resource base of missionaries are essential to ensure people with cancer come early for detection and treatment, said V. Shantha, executive chairman of Cancer Institute.

With the Indian government declining aid to quality institutions, there is need for financial support to ensure that quality medical care reaches the poor, said the Magsaysay award recipient.

Calling it a privilege to be associated with the institute, she said: "Sixty to 70 per cent people come late for treatment. We have had bad experience working with governments and need to interlink with and involve NGOs and missionaries to set up early detection centres and [step up] anti-tobacco activities."

Expensive equipment became outdated within years because of improvements in medical technology. But phenomenally expensive sophisticated instrumentation was necessary to provide quality treatment, she said. Thanking The Hindu and the Rotary Club of Madras Metro for their support, she said the "renovation [of wards] helps in keeping the ambiance of the patients."

N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, who commissioned the renovated women's ward, said he admired the institute's work and lauded the Rotary Club's focus to improve the institute and making a tangible difference.

"It is a challenge" to close the gap between the demand and need at the institute which has relentlessly pursued quality and is committed "to give the best to patients." Congratulating Dr. Shantha he said, "Magsaysay was just a formality" and "late recognition of a work done well." Making good use of the resources as the institute had done so far will help it go a long way, he said. The renovation of the 24-bed women's ward was totally funded by G.K. Shetty Charitable Trust at a cost of around Rs. 4 lakhs.

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