Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE FA

Prosperity of cancer patients and fellows

by Completion of cancer treatment cycle in Sistan and Baluchestan

With completion of cancer treatment cycle in Imam Ali (S) Hospital of Zahedan, the center of Sistan and Baluchestan province, a step was taken towards materializing justice in Health. Talking with Webda reporter, Chancellor of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences Dr. Hashemi- Shahri said Radiotherapy Center is located adjacent to Chemotherapy Department of the hospital and 470 patients have received treatment since its coming into operation. 

“Treatment course in Radiotherapy Ward takes two – six weeks and patients who have undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy require special medicinal and nutritional care as well as protection against different infections. Hence, undoubtedly rendering these services at patients’ residence can result in enhancement in their life quality and it can alleviate the problems of families and patients’ accompanying persons,” Dr. Hashemi- Shahri said.

Chancellor of  Zahedan University of Medical Sciences further noted  that prior to implementation of Health Sector Evolution Plan, the expenses of  cancer treatment was so high that some families were plunged into poverty as a result of bearing the huge cost involved in treating their cancer patients and in some cases we witnessed some patients were deprived of receiving treatment. Dr. Hashemi further added that thanks to the implementation of the Health Sector Evolution Plan which provided the patients with free cancer treatment package in the province, the patients are no longer have to bear the expenses of travelling to and staying in other cities of Iran.  Referring to the distance of 1500 km between Zahedan and Tehran: and the distance of 500 km between Zahedan and the nearest province center, Dr. Hashemi said:  “given a two-six week trip of cancer patient and at least one accompanying person on average might cost 3 million tomans, putting into operation of Radiotherapy Center prevented citizens of our province from enduring 1.5 billion tomans for treatment trips to other provinces.

Dr. Hashemi stressed the importance of self-care and improvement of  life style in primary prevention of non-communicable chronic diseases and said: “ Taking into consideration the staggering expenses in treatment sector and the fact that all countries across the globe face limitation of budget  in treatment domain; the most sensible and appropriate course of action to safeguard the health of people and to improve our citizens’  quality of life is to control diseases risk factors which is called primary prevention. Dr. Hashemi referred to regular physical exercise, proper nutrition, abstaining from smoking and alcohol consumption as the most important guidelines of World Health Organization for controlling risk factors and primary prevention from non-communicable chronic diseases.

According to Dr. Hashemi timely diagnosis of cancer as secondary prevention can alleviate the physical effects of cancer and decrease the treatment expenses of cancer patients. Dr. Hashemi referred to the establishment of centers for cancer screening sponsored by Health Sector Evolution Plan as an example of secondary prevention of cancer and further added that the Center for Cancer Screening in Imam Ali (S) Hospital is built on 575 sq m and final phase of its construction is on track and soon will be equipped and put into operation. Dr. Hashemi also said that Cancer Screening of Razi Hospital in Saravan is built on 575 sq m, and 90 percent of construction project has so far been completed.

Dr. Hashemi noted that Health Sector Evolution Plan is all- inclusive and it is justice oriented and said: “in addition to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, centers for cancer screening in other parts of the province -  in areas under the coverage of Zabol University of Medical Sciences and Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences are under construction.”