The Cancer Institute (WIA) conducted the 7th Youth Health Mela from Feb.15 to 17 at the Anna Centenary Library, Kotturpuram. Conducted in association with HCL Foundation, the Mela consisted of expert talks, competitions, cultural events, and workshops and symposiums.
The Mela was inaugurated on Feb.15 by Ma. Subramanian – State’s Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, and Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi – State’s Minister for School Education. The objective of the event was to foster awareness regarding non-communicable diseases among the youth and instil healthy practices within our community. The Youth Health Mela was designed with the objective to inspire and educate attendees, particularly the youth, on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle, according to a statement from HCL Foundation.
Speaking at the occasion, Anbil Mahesh highlighted the importance of overcoming addiction for the prevention of cancer. While the government and NGOs do play an important role in curbing addiction, the cooperation and persistence of individuals and society is necessary to tackle this issue from its core, he said. He also asserted the need to have good friends / company who would rather instil addiction to good habits like reading books.
Minister Ma. Subramanian recalled his association with the former Chairman of Cancer Institute, Dr.V.Shanta, and participation in various marathon events conducted by the institute. He said that the government has committed to donate 1.2 lakhs of funds to the institute from its Constituency (Saidapet) funds. He added that the government has committed to build a state-of-the-art Cancer research facility at Karapettai (Kancheepuram dist), costing 2.18 crores, “This facility will be at par with the Tata Memorial Cancer Research Institute, Mumbai, and be ready in the next 7-8 months.”
He also said that the state can now boast of 7 PET CT scans specifically for Cancer purposes – Chennai (Rajiv Gandhi Hospital), Madurai (Rajaji Hospital), Tirunelveli (Govt hospital), Thanjavur, Coimbatore, Salem and Kanchipuram. He also informed that the government has set up centres for preventive cancer care at Erode, Thirupathur, Ranipet and Kanyakumari – places where instances of cancers were high due to industrial waste. These centres have made medical care more accessible to the public and also helped in the early detection of cancers. He assured that the government would also take steps in conducting camps for early detection in all the districts of the state.
Speaking about addiction, Minister Subramanian assured of the state’s commitment to make the state an additional free state and the strict measures in place to make all educational institutions ‘Tobacco Free’ areas. He said that the government is taking measures to shortly ban tobacco substances in the state as well.
Also present at the occasion were Dr T S Selvavinayagam – Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Dr Kalpana Balakrishnan – Director of Cancer Institute and Dr Chethana Thirathahalli – Lead (Health) of HCL Foundation.
