Boost to heathcare: Collector Pravin Kumar at the inauguration of a mammography unit at the KGH, in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. more-in A digital mammography unit, which will be useful in the early detection of breast cancer, was inaugurated by Collector Pravin Kumar, at the Radiology Department of King George Hospital (KGH) on Saturday. Interacting with the doctors, the Collector enquired about its functioning. The mammograph, costing ?1.70 crore, was procured with the financial assistance of 1966 Batch students of the Andhra Medical College (AMC), who have settled in the USA. The Collector commended the alumni for their gesture. Free treatment “Breast cancer is rampant in India with around 25 of every 1 lakh women suffering from it. Reports indicate that the incidence of breast cancer is on the rise. The new mammography unit will be of immense help in saving economically poor through early detection and treatment. The tests will be done free of cost under the supervision of specially trained professionals,” the Collector said. Women aged between 45 and 54 years should get themselves tested once in a year and those above 55 years should go for the mammography test once in two years, he said quoting recommendation of the American Cancer Society. Those who have any suspicion that they have breast cancer should immediately go for the test and take adequate precautions and treatment in the early stages. Viral fever Later, the Collector visited the dengue patients at the Virology Ward and Rajendra Prasad Ward, along with KGH Superintendent G. Arjuna and AMC principal P.V. Sudhakar and inquired about their health condition. He asked the doctors to ensure that there was no delay in the treatment of the dengue patients. “Dengue cases are being reported from the tribal areas and the 32 villages merged with the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC). The required tests and healthcare services are being provided through health centres and PHCs,” he said. Referring to the private hospitals, the collector said declaring dengue if there was a fall in the platelet count in the blood was not right. “Measures are being initiated to control the spread of viral fevers in the district in coordination with Panchayat Raj, GVMC, Medical and Health Departments,” he added.

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