In November last year, Assam Gas Company Limited, Duliajan under its Corporate Social Responsibility had launched a noble scheme "Aparajeeya", to provide completely free treatment to children afflicted with cancers at Dr. B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati, irrespective of the family earnings.
Mrs Rashmi Das, Social Worker at BBCI has stated that, presently 150 childhood cancer patients are being provided completely free treatment from this scheme.
Moreover, the children and their parents are provided free food and lodging facilities by the Deepsikha Cancer Care Foundation and Saint Jude’s Foundation. These facilities are available for all patients from 0 to 18 years irrespective of any financial category, further stated Mrs Das.
Earlier, many families had to seek support from various NGOs like, Jiv Daya Foundation, USA , Cankids, Leukemia Crusader from Delhi, Deepsikha Foundation, Nirmal and MP Aggarwal Trust, N Borthakur Memorial Trust from Guwahati , Jaipur Foot (Bhagwan Vahavir Viklang Samiti), Ashray Concept Foods (Nutritional Supplements), KL Group and Al-Ameen Welfare Society Guwahati for support for the treatment of children afflicted with cancer.
According to Dr Munlima Hazarika, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Division of Medical Oncology, cancer in children is biologically different from adult cancer, because it is curable in most instances. In developed countries 80% of the children with cancer are cured. But, in India the cure rate is less than 25%, mostly due to financial constraints for starting or continuation of the treatment.
Before the scheme was launched, many parents could not afford cancer treatment.
It is hoped that with this scheme in place, we will be able to achieve 80% cure rate in treating childhood cancer patients, said Dr. Hazarika.
