29 May 2011
BLAMING the tobacco industry for making money at the cost of human lives, Governor K Sankaranarayanan said the industry should support institutions treating and researching diseases like cancer, as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Speaking at the inauguration of Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Trust's Integrated Cancer Treatment and Research Centre at Wagholi, Sankaranarayanan said cancer continues to be a major killer in the country.
"Tobbaco is known to be the major cause of cancer in our country. Approximately 90 per cent of oral cancer in Southeast Asia are linked to chewing and smoking of tobacco. As per the World Health Organisation estimates, tobbaco accounts for 5.4 million deaths every year. Tobbaco industry especially targets the youth," he said.
He added that the victims of tobacco-related cancer are mostly poor and it was important that the "healthcare infrastructure is strengthened and upgraded in rural and urban areas for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer at early stages."
Sankaranarayanan said ayurveda is India's treasure for knowledge and wisdom and is one of the most evolved and complete systems of holistic healthcare that offers sustainable solutions to many modern ailments including cancer.
"Our national objective of health for all can be achieved only by making ayurveda one of the branches of alternate medicine," he said.
He said there is a requirement of more integrated cancer treatment centres to reduce burden on premier cancer care institutions like the Tata Memorial Hospital.
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