Kalam for psychological support to fight cancer
Highlights
More than 40% patients across the country have severe and moderate levels of psychological distress Psycho-oncologists' intervention sought to deal...
More than 40% patients across the country have severe and moderate levels of psychological distress Psycho-oncologists' intervention sought to deal with cancer patients effectively "We can instil confidence, hope and courage in the minds of the patients as well as in their family members to fight cancer valiantly" 
Hyderabad: Former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam emphasised the need for holistic support for those afflicted with cancer.A Inaugurating the Global Oncology Summit here on Friday, Dr Kalam said : "Whenever I visited any cancer hospital in our country, the first question I used to ask them was how many psychologists were accessible in their hospital to provide counselling for cancer patients. Most of the times, I was disappointed to receive a negative answer from them. Psychologists are hardly seen in many of the cancer hospitals in India. It disturbed me a lot,". According to a national study conducted in nearly 20 cancer hospitals across the country, more than 40 per cent cancer patients had been inflicted with severe and moderate levels of psychological distress. It revealed the high prevalence of psychological distress among the cancer patients in the country. "I always recommend psycho-oncologists' intervention to deal with cancer patients effectively. I strongly believe that through psychological counselling, we can instil confidence, hope and courage in the minds of the patients as well as in their family members to fight cancer valiantly. Through this global summit, I wish to urge the managements of of cancer hospitals to recruit as many psychologists as possible to provide psychological, social, financial and emotional support for cancer patients," remarked Kalam. Psychologists should be an integral part in cancer treatment therapies, he observed. He felt that participating in the Global Oncology Summit was a very significant thing to him and applauded the endeavours of Basavatarakam Cancer Institute to provide medical services free of cost to the half of their patients. He appreciated the efforts being put in by the Hospital in treating childhood cancer and for its progress in the field of research and cancer education. Meanwhile, he referred to the significance of nano-technology in cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as the new developments in targetted therapies with cost effective drugs. Chairman of Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute Nandamuri Balakrishna said that the hospital was established by his father and former chief minister NT Rama Rao with the aim of providing quality cancer treatment at affordable cost to cancer patients, especially the poor. "The efforts put in by experts like Dr Nori Dattatreyudu and many others for the progress of the Hospital would never be forgotten," he remarked. Prof. D D Patel was felicitated and citation was presented by Dr Kalam for his outstanding contributions in the field of surgical oncology. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Patel opined that large population in rural areas were yet to receive medical services and stressed on the need to establish rural cancer registry for combating the disease effectively. Prof Kakarla Subba Rao, Dr Kodela Sivaprasad and many prominent personalities participated in the programme.
Hyderabad: Former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam emphasised the need for holistic support for those afflicted with cancer.A Inaugurating the Global Oncology Summit here on Friday, Dr Kalam said : "Whenever I visited any cancer hospital in our country, the first question I used to ask them was how many psychologists were accessible in their hospital to provide counselling for cancer patients. Most of the times, I was disappointed to receive a negative answer from them. Psychologists are hardly seen in many of the cancer hospitals in India. It disturbed me a lot,". According to a national study conducted in nearly 20 cancer hospitals across the country, more than 40 per cent cancer patients had been inflicted with severe and moderate levels of psychological distress. It revealed the high prevalence of psychological distress among the cancer patients in the country. "I always recommend psycho-oncologists' intervention to deal with cancer patients effectively. I strongly believe that through psychological counselling, we can instil confidence, hope and courage in the minds of the patients as well as in their family members to fight cancer valiantly. Through this global summit, I wish to urge the managements of of cancer hospitals to recruit as many psychologists as possible to provide psychological, social, financial and emotional support for cancer patients," remarked Kalam. Psychologists should be an integral part in cancer treatment therapies, he observed. He felt that participating in the Global Oncology Summit was a very significant thing to him and applauded the endeavours of Basavatarakam Cancer Institute to provide medical services free of cost to the half of their patients. He appreciated the efforts being put in by the Hospital in treating childhood cancer and for its progress in the field of research and cancer education. Meanwhile, he referred to the significance of nano-technology in cancer diagnosis and treatment as well as the new developments in targetted therapies with cost effective drugs. Chairman of Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute Nandamuri Balakrishna said that the hospital was established by his father and former chief minister NT Rama Rao with the aim of providing quality cancer treatment at affordable cost to cancer patients, especially the poor. "The efforts put in by experts like Dr Nori Dattatreyudu and many others for the progress of the Hospital would never be forgotten," he remarked. Prof. D D Patel was felicitated and citation was presented by Dr Kalam for his outstanding contributions in the field of surgical oncology. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Patel opined that large population in rural areas were yet to receive medical services and stressed on the need to establish rural cancer registry for combating the disease effectively. Prof Kakarla Subba Rao, Dr Kodela Sivaprasad and many prominent personalities participated in the programme.
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