Cancer care goes free for the poor in Kerala


Through the ‘Sukrutham’ scheme, the Kerala Government aims to take advanced cancer treatment to the poorest

“We have two options, medically and emotionally: give up or fight like hell,” Lance Armstrong, champion cycle racer, who recovered from advanced testicular cancer once said about his battle against cancer. The American, fortunately, had the money to pay for the extremely expensive treatment. But, for the majority of 1.75 lakh people with cancer in Kerala, advanced treatment is not an affordable option. The cost of medicines, doctor consultations and diagnostic tests make treatment very expensive.

However, with the launch of the ambitious ‘Sukrutham’ initiative for free cancer treatment on November 1, the State’s birthday, the Kerala Government aims to take advanced cancer treatment to the poorest of the poor.

The free treatment, presently available at five Government medical college hoasspitals and three other hospitals, will later be extended to all 14 district hospitals. Those holding BPL (below-poverty line) cards as well as those covered by the Rashtriya Swasthya Suraksha Yojna, the national health insurance scheme, are eligible, for now..........click for more

 

Source: BusinessLine

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