In a bold move to curb the rising menace of cancer, the Government of Punjab in association with the World Health Organization (WHO) India has launched an ambitious and people centric cancer care pilot project- Mission Umeed in three districts Bathinda, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and Gurdaspur. The program was also launched in cooperation with the Minister for Health and Family Welfare in the Punjab, Dr Balbir Singh, and the WHO India Representative, Dr Roderico H. Ofrin. With this project, the state has made a big step in its efforts of enhancing cancer care services and improving the timely, equity, and quality care of all its citizens.
This innovative activity is aimed to identify oral, breast and cervical cancers which are three of the most frequent and avoidable malignancies in India in an early stage on a decentralised and system-based method. It is in line with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and will see that cancer care services are available at all levels of the public health system in the state of Punjab, including the ground level Ayushman Arogya Centres to the tertiary hospitals.
Dr Singh pointed out that, in Punjab, more than 60 percent of the people diagnosed to have cancer present it at the late stages which considerably restrict their chances to receive treatment. This campaign is aimed at turning this situation around.
In a message to the event, Dr Balbir Singh said, that, Cancer does not mean death and added how early detection can enhance the treatment process. He went on to say that this effort demonstrates the conviction that the state has in healthcare as a right and their dedication in accomplishing an inclusive and general productivity of health systems. He also emphasized the need to have a healthy lifestyle encouraging people to exercise to get at least an hour of block time in a day and eat healthy meals prepared at homes to minimize the chances of getting cancer.
Dr Roderico H. Ofrin was impressed with the effective policy of public health and the work against NCDs in Punjab. He also pointed out that Punjab is leading the whole carepectrum of cancer care in India with its strong course of action, dubbed as the ‘Mission Umeed. He also stated that the organisation was proud of having been a partner in this initiative and he re-enforced the technical support which would still be provided by WHO to replicate this model at national level. He further stated that through continued investment in therein, Punjab will meet the targets of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 ( SDG-3 ) towards NCDs, by 2030.
