Dimapur, May 11 (EMN): In a startling revelation, Nagaland has topped in the number of Nasopharyngeal cancers (cancer of head and neck). At the nation level, 15.3% male and 10.8% female were reported suffering from Nasopharyngeal cancers.
The startling revelation was made by Dr. H Chishi during the meeting of the District Level Coordination Committee (DLCC) on tobacco control held in the DPDB’s conference hall. Kohima, under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner, Kohima, and chairman of DLCC, Rajesh Soundararajan, on May 11.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. H Chishi informed that Nagaland state ranked the highest number of Nasopharyngeal cancer (cancer of head and neck) in the country with male - 15.3 % and female 10.8%. He also informed that every year new cases of cancer have been detected with 454 recorded per year as per (population based cancer survey, ICMR 2012-2014). He has suggested on no tobacco cultivation, production and supply and ban tobacco lobbyist.
To control tobacco consumption, he has suggested complacency, casual attitude and absence of pressure group.
Speaking on the occasion, joint director and SNO (NTCP) of health and family welfare, Dr. H Hotokhu Chishi, has highlighted on the achievement of Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS- 2) 2015-16. He mentioned that the state has made a significant achievement on the consumption of tobacco products with a decrease percentage comparing to the last GATS-1 survey report (2009-2010).
Presenting the GATS survey conducted in four districts namely Kohima, Dimapur, Phek and Peren under GATS-I and GATS-2 survey report, he stated that tobacco consumption has decreased from 56.8% to 43.3%; smokers from 31.5% to 13.2%; smokeless tobacco users from 45.3% to 39.0%; dual users from 20% to 8.9%; second hand smoke exposure at home from 79.7% to 67.6% and second hand smoke exposure at work place from 32% to 23.3%
Another area of achievement was the high price of cigarette due to increase in taxation, which he hoped that users would decrease average monthly expenditure on cigarette (daily smokers) from INR 689.6 to 1473.9 and average monthly expenditure on Bidi (daily smokers) from INR 116.3 to 265.5.
Dr. H Chishi also pointed out that Nagaland state was the first state to conduct school oral health survey 2013-14, where tobacco use in school children under the age group of 8-13 years was recorded. According to him, children with tobacco habits consisted of 28.3%, while smokers consisted of 15% and buying tobacco products for parents was recorded at 41.2%.
Deputy commissioner and chairman of DLCC has appreciated the informative presentation and lauded all the members and stakeholders for their commendable job. He further urged upon the members to focus on the drawbacks in order to achieve more in the future. He also asked the GBs to check the parents in their respective colonies/wards not to send their children to buy tobacco products. The DC also called upon the schools representatives to stress on the ill effects of tobacco consumption/ users in their respective schools. He has further urged the parents, NGOs, youth organisations, schools and student unions to collectively give efforts for follow up action in this regard.
Senior dental surgeon and DNO (NTCP), Dr. Arenla Walling gave a presentation on the activities of district tobacco control cell, Kohima, from the month of October 2017 to March 2018. During the meeting, six schools were declared tobacco free schools where the DC and chairman DLCC gave away the certificate to the schools.
The award recipient schools included Government High School Botsa; Government Middle School Botsa; Baptist School Botsa; Christian School Botsa; Children Christian School Kohima Village; and Vinyuzo School Upper Bayavu, Kohima.
