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(Left to right) Neeta More, Executive Director of CPAA, interacting with patients at Dimapur Civil Hospital on November 26. (R) Team leader Dr. Suparna Nirgudkar examines a patient at NHAK on November 26.[/caption]
Dimapur, November 26: Even after 52 years of Statehood, Nagaland is still struggling to provide basic health services to its people while many NGOs from other states have extended a helping hand by organising free medical camps in the State. One such medical camp was seen on November 26 at Dimapur District Hospital organised by Rotary Club of Bombay North and Rotary Club of Nariman Point.
A total of 115 patients availed free check-up, test and consultation on the first day of a three-day free medical camp. A total of 36 people were recommended for further follow up, while 21 people for tobacco habitués will require three months and six months of follow up. Eight requiring ultrasonography for pelvis, two for repeat Pap smear, two for sonommamography for breast, surgical follow up for men including two for Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and one for kidney, Ureter, and Bladder (KUB) were detected.
The cancer screening and early detection camp is being conducted by Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) sponsored by Universal Comfort Products Limited (UCPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Voltas limited and support by Government of Nagaland.
Neeta More, Executive Director of CPAA, said CPAA, an organisation working towards total management of cancer since its inception in 1969, has screened around 2, 76,000 patients across the country.
‘CPAA is a vibrant organisation rising continuously to the challenges of the Big ‘C’ (Cancer),’ More maintained.
With a plan to screen thousands of patients during the free medical camp, More explained that the camp is concentrating on early detection of the Big ‘C’ especially cervical, breast, ENT and oral by doctors of CPAA besides providing free medicines for minor ailments.
Talking to Eastern Mirror at the ongoing medical camp, More said in urban area breast cancer was highest while in rural area cervical cancer was highest. However, oral cancer accounted the highest compared to other countries as India records the highest tobacco consumption, added More.
Human papillomavirus (HPV) and Pap smear test will be carried out to detect cervical cancer while PR examination will also be conducted for detection of prostate cancer with the equipments brought from Mumbai, informed More. After detection the patients can follow up with the district hospital she added.
The mega medical camp will resume on Monday November 28 at 9:30 am informed More. It may be mentioned that the mega medical camp is initiated by Nagaland Governor PB Acharya.
In Kohima district, the visiting doctors examined both young and old patients seeking remedies for various ailments. The medical camp consisted of two groups which included ‘Friends of Nagaland’ and Indian Academy of Echocardiography. The team members of ‘Friends of Nagaland’ included Dr. Umesh Borwankar (Surgeon); Dr. Anol Samant (Radiologist) and Dr. Leena Samant (Anaesthetist) while team members of Indian Academy and Echocardiography group included Dr. Hrishikesh Shah (Mumbai); Dr. Vatsala Shree (Vellore); Dr. Mohsin (Mumbai) and Dr. Sanjay Upretti (Delhi).
Dr. Suparna Nirgudkar, MD (Med) consultant physician and intensivist, the team leader of ‘Friends of Nagaland’ said this was their third visit to Nagaland on the mission. She said ‘Friends of Nagaland’ group was the first medical team from Mumbai to visit Nagaland in March 2015, followed by second visit in April 2016.
From the past experiences of medical camps conducted in the State, Dr. Suparna said common life style diseases i.e. high blood pressure, diabetics, hyper-tension etc. have been found among the Nagas. Keeping in view with the experiences, necessary medicines for blood pressure, diabetics, anti-biotic, pain killer, acidity etc. are being sponsored by the visiting team for free distribution to the patients. She hoped the medical camp would serve a purpose for the public and benefit the needy people of the district.
Similarly, a three-day free medical camp at Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital, Wokha, in association with the Indian National
Fellowship Centre, Mumbai, will be conducted from November 28 to 30.
The team of visiting doctors consists of three surgeons, one physician and one psychiatrist. All doctors of Dr. Motsuo Memorial District Hospital will also be part of the camp.
Citizens of Wokha district are requested to make use of the free medical camp to consult and get treated by an accomplished set of doctors and surgeons.
