Cancer centre in all NE States mooted
Ramadoss satisfied with health care in NE, ART centres to be increased
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 13: Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss who arrived here today as part of his North East itinerary has expressed satisfaction over the measures taken up in the health sector particularly on Immunisation, HIV/AIDS, Cancer, TB and Malaria.

Interacting with the media at the Jubilee Hall of RIMS this evening, the Health Minister said that since the North East people are susceptible to Cancer, the Centre has decided to open Regional Cancer Centres in all the North East State.

Anbumani Ramadoss arriving at the Tulihal airport

Significantly, RIMS had earlier announced that majority of the lung cancer cases reported in the country are from the North East States particularly Manipur.

Though health care facilities are perceived to be poor in the remote areas of the State, Ramadoss however noted that the health care scenario in the North Region is satisfactory.

There are plans to improve the infrastructure at the Primary Health Centres, Primary Sub-Health Centres, Community Health Centres etc, said Ramadoss.

He also acknowledge the service rendered by ASHA, which comprises of Trained Community Health Workers.

Since the North East, particularly Manipur and Nagaland rank high on the list of HIV/AIDS infected people, the Centre has decided to increase the number of ART centres in the region, informed Ramadoss.

The Health Minister was candid enough to admit that there are still stigmas attached to HIV/AIDS patients but added that the Information, Education and Communication programme taken up by the Government has begun to show positive results.

Answering queries from the media persons, Ramadoss said that a Central team has already been sent to investigate the deaths of infants in the interiors of Churachandpur district.

To another query on the reluctance of doctors to move to their place of postings in the far flung areas, the Health Minister said that the Centre cannot do much explaining that the onus is on the State Govt to make the doctors toe the lines of the Govt.On being asked about any plans for RIMS, Ramadoss said that he will spell it out tomorrow.

Earlier, when the Union Health Minister arrived at Tulihal airport in an Indian Airlines flight at 12.10 pm, he was received by Health Minister Ph Parijat, RIMS Director Prof Fimate and a host of Health Officials.

The Minister was accompanied by Health officials of the other NE States, barring Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Significantly the Director General of NACO Sujata Rao is also in town.