KOCHI: At a time when new cancer cases reported in the state annually have crossed 50,000, the dearth of oncologists is posing itself as the new public health challenge before the government.
Statistics jointly prepared by the National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), show Kerala still has a long way to go in cancer care with only 180 oncologists in the state at present.
The number comprises 33 medical oncologists, 35 surgical oncologists, 104 radiation oncologists and four hematologists and paediatric oncologists each, not even remotely enough to tackle cancer care here.
Surprisingly, not a single medical college in the state has clinical or surgical oncologists. The numbers indicate the lack in comprehensive cancer care facilities and manpower to meet the needs of cancer patients who are increasing with each passing day.
Lack of facilities for young doctors to pursue specialisation in oncology is pointed out as the reason for the inadequate numbers. Kerala only has three teaching centres for cancer specialists – the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram, the Malabar Cancer Centre and the Amrita Institute of Medical Science, Kochi.
“RCC, Thiruvananthapuram, has only six seats for cancer specialty of which only one is reserved for a student from Kerala. No institute in the state offers DM in Hematology. Beginning new courses in medical oncology and surgical oncology will help in dealing with the lack of trained specialists to an extent,” said Dr P G Balagopal, medical superintendent, Kochi Cancer Centre.
“To this day, the RCC in the state capital is the only government sector hospital equipped with every cancer care facility. Those who cannot afford treatment at private hospitals have to go to RCC.
“This is inconvenient for a person from the other end of the state. Comprehensive cancer care must be within every patient’s reach,” Balagopal said.
Private sector cancer care is beyond the reach of lower middle-class families with basic treatment charges estimated at `1.5 to `2 lakh annually. This goes up if the cancer diagnosed is Myeloma (`4-5 lakh) or Lymphoma (`6-8 lakh).
“Given the situation, it is imperative comprehensive cancer care becomes a part of all government medical colleges.There should also be an initiative to spread cancer care into general and district hospitals so that patients have access to chemotherapy and radiation facilities at local hospitals,” said Dr Prasanth, RMO, Department of Palliative Care, RCC, Thiruvananthapuram.