Northeast India has the highest incidence of cancer in the country, with three times the national average [1]. Around 45,200 new cases are reported every year, and the state of Assam alone accounts for more than 32,000 [2]. Fifty-seven percent of all cancers in men and 28 percent of all cancers in women are tobacco-related. The region also has a unique cancer profile, with a higher incidence of cancers of the upper digestive tract [3]. Located south of the eastern Himalayas, providing access to affordable cancer care is one of Assam’s greatest challenges. “In this region, it’s particularly difficult for residents of smaller villages to reach the right kind of healthcare facilities,” says Sanjay David, Head of Corporate Accounts at Siemens Healthineers India.
How can Assam achieve patient-centered cancer facilities and affordable care?
To address the high prevalence of cancer and the challenges surrounding this, the Government of Assam and Tata Trusts set up the Assam Cancer Care Foundation. It was founded in 2017 to establish a three-tier cancer network in the state, using a distributed model of cancer care. The model seeks to create patient-centric cancer facilities that deliver standardized and affordable care closer to the patients’ homes. Seven dedicated cancer hospitals have been established in cities across the state, and a unified technology platform is being developed to ensure high-quality care delivery.
Technology, such as state-of-the-art medical equipment, plays a vital role in diagnosing and providing image-guided procedures and interventions. “As a partner of Tata Trusts,” Sanjay David explains, “Siemens Healthineers is providing laboratory equipment, X-ray systems, CT scanners, mammography and MRI systems, and PET/CT scanners for cancer diagnosis, and linear accelerators for cancer treatment.”
Community outreach promotes prevention and early detection
To complement clinical services, the Assam Cancer Care Foundation and the National Health Mission have started prevention and early detection programs in eight districts in Assam. Community outreach programs are being established in remote areas that have less access to healthcare facilities: A mobile team of dentists, nurses, health camp managers, and data entry operators are working toward increasing cancer screenings and community awareness, and are collaborating with local organizations. Several programs are being implemented to promote prevention, early detection, and palliative care.The network of cancer centers will soon be improving patients’ access to care facilities, significantly reducing travel time and out-of-pocket expenses. Already today, many patients who normally had to travel hundreds of miles now have local access to modern cancer care. The foundation is expected to benefit 50 percent of Assam’s cancer patients.
Siemens Healthineers is committed to providing innovative solutions to make healthcare affordable and accessible for underserved regions. Partnering with Tata Trusts to bring cancer care closer to the patient is part of that commitment. Sanjay David: “Cancer is one of our key focus areas. We want to create a world where there’s no fear of cancer. I’m really excited to be part of this team.”
Siemens Healthineers is a global provider of healthcare equipment, solutions and services, with activities in more than 180 countries and direct representation in more than 70. The group comprises Siemens Healthineers AG, listed as SHL in Frankfurt, Germany, and its subsidiaries. As a leading medical technology company, Siemens Healthineers is committed to improving access to healthcare for underserved communities worldwide and is striving to overcome the most threatening diseases. The company is principally active in the areas of imaging, diagnostics, cancer care and minimally invasive therapies, augmented by digital technology and artificial intelligence. In fiscal 2023, which ended on September 30, 2023, Siemens Healthineers had approximately 71,000 employees worldwide and generated revenue of around €21.7 billion. Further information is available at the Siemens Healthineers website.
References
[1] Assam Cancer Care Foundation. Northeast Oncology Summit (NEOS 2023). Accessed on March 5, 2024. https://www.assamcancercarefoundation.org/media/news-and-events/northeast-oncology-summit-2023.html
[2] Kalita K. World Cancer Day: Experts caution about high rates of youths with cancers in Northeast. The Times of India. February 4, 2022. Accessed on March 5, 2024. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/89335422.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
[3] Indian Council of Medical Research, National Center for Disease Informatics and Research. A Report on Cancer Burden in North Eastern States of India. NCDIR India. 2017. Accessed on March 5, 2024. https://www.ncdirindia.org/All_Reports/Reports_Ne/NE2012_2014/Files/NE_2012_14.pdf
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