Bargarh: The demand for a cancer treatment and research hospital is growing stronger in Bargarh district with the rise in number of cancer patients in Western Odisha.
A day after Youth Congress activists held a demonstration outside the district collectorate after submitting a memorandum to the Collector addressed to the Governor demanding establishment of a cancer hospital, a large number of women activists hit the street pressing for it Tuesday.
Earlier, the Fighters Group, formed by cancer survivors of the district, had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik raising the demand.
The women activists also submitted a memorandum to the District Collector (DM) Indramani Tripathy addressed to the Chief Minister.
According to reports, the state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TATA Trust to set up a state-of-the-art cancer treatment and research hospital. So, the activists demanded the hospital be set up in Bargarh.
A large number of cancer cases are reported in the state every year with more than 60 per cent being from western Odisha; majority of them are from Bargarh district. As per government records, the district has a large number of stomach cancer cases.
Bargarh is called the rice bowl of Odisha as most people depend on agriculture. The growing incidence of cancer in Bargarh is attributed to heavy use of pesticides.
Similarly, as most of the netizens are from farming background, the financial condition of the people is also not sound. Cost of treatment being high, many people cannot afford it. Under the circumstances, if a cancer hospital is set up here in the district, the people of the region will be able to avail treatment at a less cost, the activists said.
“Since Bargarh district reports the highest number of cancer patients, we request the CM to set up the cancer treatment and research hospital in Bargarh. We also appeal to the members of various social organisations and people of Bargarh to extend support to the cause,” the memorandum read.
PNN
