Private Hospitals to join colorectal cancer screening in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: The Tamil Nadu Health Department has announced plans to include private hospitals in the Coimbatore district in its colorectal cancer screening program. This move follows the successful inclusion of all government hospitals in the district and aims to improve the monitoring and treatment of patients across both government and private hospitals.

The screening program is part of the four-year Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases project (2022-2026), a collaborative effort between the Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Department and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The project focuses on strengthening early diagnosis systems for non-communicable diseases, especially cancer.

Coimbatore district was selected for targeted screening based on findings from a 2018 survey, and a pilot project was launched in 2024. Initially, screening and awareness drives were conducted across 21 primary health centres and two government hospitals at Pollachi and Thondamuthur, along with the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital. Medical officers and nursing staff from these institutions received specialized training in colorectal cancer screening, and they in turn trained field staff to carry out screenings at the grassroots level.

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As the next step, the health department plans to engage private hospitals, particularly those offering gastroenterology treatment.

Officials mentioned that partnering with private hospitals would allow the health department to obtain accurate patient figures, enabling better tracking of their treatment. This collaboration would also provide support to ensure patients continue their treatment. Currently, more than ten private hospitals offer gastroenterology treatment.

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