Balkh records nearly two-fold increase in cancer cases

MAZAR-I-SHARIF (Pajhwok): Last year 4,912 cancer patients visited the provincial hospital in northern Balkh province for treatment, showing a two-fold increase in the cases, officials said on Sunday.

Oncology department head at Abu Ali Sina Hospital Dr. Ehsanullah Kaliwal told Pajhwok Afghan News that the cases of cancer disease were increasing as 432 cancer patients visited their hospital in one month.

He said, last year (2023) 4,912 cancer patients underwent treatment compared to only 2,613 the year before.

Explaining the reason behind the increased number of cancer patients, Dr. Kaliwal said in the past people would avoid visiting hospitals due to insecurity, so many cases would remain undiagnosed.

But physicians consider awareness about cancer diseases crucial for their prevention.

“People need awareness about the disease”, Dr Toraj Arbabi of the same hospital said.

He said suspected cancer patients should visit doctors to prevent the illness from spreading into other parts of the body.

He added improper food regime was also among causes of this illness.” Most people in northern provinces consume dried red meat which is the reason of stomach cancer”.

Patients and their attendants said they were satisfied services at the hospital.

Mohammad Nasir, 38, was diagnosed with cancer one and a half years ago and received treatment at Jamhoriat Hospital in Kabul in initial months, but then moved to Abul Ali Sina hospital in Mazar-i-Sharif city.

Nasir was satisfied with facilities at the hospital and said he received vaccine free of charge.

Nimatullah, whose father has stomach cancer, said his father received his third jab of vaccine today.

He said his father was in better health condition than he had been three months ago.

Provincial public health officials assured cancer patients of making available all needed facilities in the hospital.

Provincial Public Health Director Sheikh Mir Saddam said cancer patients were offered health service 7-24.

Apart from their hospitalization and vaccination, cancer patients received free blood transfusion as well, Saddam said.

aw/ma

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