Medica Superspecialty Hospital, a top healthcare facility in Kolkata, held an intriguing panel discussion on “Focusing on the important role of NGOs in making modern cancer treatment more accessible to economically disadvantaged patients in private healthcare facilities” in honor of National Cancer Awareness Day. The conversation, which was led by Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, Senior Consultant and Advisor in Radiation Oncology featured panelists from respectable NGOs, including Rotary, Fight Cancer, Cancer Fight Foundation, Jadavpur Pension Association, Gauri Bari Welfare, Cankids, and Dinante.

During the conversation, some of the cancer survivors were also in attendance.

The subject for this year’s National Cancer Awareness Day, “Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment”, highlights the importance of being vigilant in order to spot early warning signs and provide easily available care. Many people are frequently deterred from getting cancer treatment by financial constraints. And NGOs are essential in closing this gap. In collaboration with private medical facilities, these groups assist patients in receiving the necessary medical care. Typically, they cover or encourage medical costs.

Prof. (Dr.) Subir Ganguly, said, “Cancer claims many lives, and regrettably, some of these deaths are brought on by a lack of access to treatment. Many people cannot afford the high expense of cancer care, which prevents them from accessing necessary therapies. In this case, NGOs are crucial in helping those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds have easier access to cancer care. By offering crucial services like financial aid, these groups close the gaps in health care. They offer vital services and affordable treatment choices in partnership with private hospitals. At Medica, we also collaborate with numerous NGOs to help people in need of cancer care afford it, and we have had great success connecting with organizations that have helped patients”.

Medica with the help of these partnerships with NGOs will keep providing the patients with this kind of support at their hospital.

Priyanka Dutta