Thalassaemia, cancer cases on rise in Tripura

AGARTALA, March 14?An alarming increase of Thalassaemia and cancer has been noticed in Tripura. According to official data, while from 1998 to 2001 during the two years, 3618 cancer patients have been detected throughout the State, the number of Thalassaemia patients at present stands at 109. Health Minister Keshab Majumdar has informed the Tripura Assembly that the State Government provides all necessary medical facilities including blood to the Thalassaemia patients. Arrangements were being made for blood storage in subdivisional hospitals. ?Major Thalassaemia patients need blood transfusion, but the State can provide blood when the required blood group is available?, the health minister said. What is more worming is the increasing number of malaria and waterborne diseases in the state, particularly in the rural areas. From April 1998 to last year, 57,000 persons suffered from malaria while during this period, 251 persons died of waterborne diseases. Total patients affected by contaminated water is 2,86,815.