NT Reporter
Panaji
Under the Cancer Detection Abhiyan, around 4,500 people have been screened across Goa, leading to the detection of 18 cancer cases.
All diagnosed patients received free and comprehensive treatment — including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and dental care.
The latest camp was held at St Cruz on Sunday under a joint initiative by PHC Chimbel and UHTC Santa Cruz, led by Dr Jagdish Kakodkar.
“Earlier, cancer was feared as a fatal and incurable disease, but with modern treatment facilities and early detection, survival rates have improved greatly. All 18 patients detected during these camps are alive and can look forward to a healthy life ahead. Cancer is no longer a death sentence,” said Kakodkar.
He said that the Santa Cruz camp was the 21st camp organised under the Abhiyan, with a focus on extending medical services to people in rural areas.
“Health Minister Vishwajit Rane has revealed plans to set up a Regional Cancer Centre adjacent to the Super Speciality Block in Goa, in collaboration with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. Once established, the centre will ensure that Goan patients no longer need to travel outside the state for advanced treatment,” he added.
The mobile cancer screening van used for these camps was donated by the Goa government, said Kakodkar.
During the Santa Cruz camp, Dr Albert D’Souza was honoured for his dedication and service to the patients in the village, while another doctor was felicitated for contribution to cancer awareness and treatment in the state.
