Reaching out to Cancer Patients

The protocol of oncologists needs to be followed in local hospitals under supervision of Physicians obviating the need to frequently visit SKIMS or SMHS

Once an individual is diagnosed with the dreaded cancer, there are three options: Surgery, Chemotherapy or Radiotherapy. But radiotherapy needs specialised equipment and other facilities which obviously are not available in District Hospitals. However, Surgery or atleast Chemotherapy could be offered in District hospitals. An oncologist in SKIMS, SMHS or a Private Hospital frames a "Protocol' for successive chemotherapies at regular intervals for which the patient needs to visit Srinagar based SKIMS, SMHS or Private Hospitals. One therapy lasts 3 consecutive days and a patient from a far off place faces inconvenience in the same.

The cancer patient could visit the District Hospital along with the protocol, be clinically examined by a Physician and the drugs prescribed by Oncologist be delivered by the hospital staff. Thus the protocol of oncologists should be followed in local hospitals under supervision of Physicians obviating the need to frequently visit SKIMS or SMHS.

Cancer patients require palliative care. Some cancers are terminal and need end of life care. Since there are no specialised Palliative/ Hospice facilities available here, the patient or the attendant in home needs frequent consultation with doctor which could be provided through online mode (WhatsApp, Video Call). Dedicated cancer helpline numbers could be provided for tele-consultation. Minor procedures such as insertion of a feeding tube or placing of a urinary catheter could be done by technicians at the residence of cancer patients.

Further NGOs and other charitable Organisations should come forward to help cancer patients and their families in tackling the disease. Their help should not be monetary only as there are hundreds of families who are wealthy but lack the manpower. A cancer patient needs at least two full time attendants to accompany various diagnostic centres and hospitals. Further depending upon the organ, cancer patients need various medicines as well as accessories such as Adjustable Beds, Oxygen Concentrators, Air mattresses etc to tackle the disease. Such accessories could later on be retrieved from these patients and used by other needy ones.

The author is alumnus SKAUST-Kashmir