PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted awebinar on “Cancer Care during COVID Times: Tackling of NCDs” with august panelist from the medical fraternity including Dr. N Subramanian, Chairman,Health Committee, PHD Chamber and Director, Medical Services, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals; Dr. Gopi Chand Khilnani, Chairman, Pulmonary, Critical Care and Sleep Medicine, PSRI Hospital; Dr. Amish Vora, Co-Founder, and Director, Medical Oncology, H.O.P.E. Oncology Clinic & Sr. Consultant, Medical Oncology, PSRI Hospital and Mr. Aditya Talwar, Co-Founder and CEO, H.O.P.E. Oncology Clinic.

Mr. Pradeep Multani, Vice President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in his presidential remarks mentioned that noncommunicable diseases – including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes – kill 41 million people every year. Prevention of NCDs is important. However, investing in better management is the other key component of the NCD response.

Mr. Multani further added that investing in better management of NCDs is critical. Management of NCDs includes detecting, screening and treating these diseases, and providing access to palliative care for people in need. High impact essential NCD interventions can be delivered through a primary health care approach to strengthen early detection and timely treatment. Evidence shows such interventions are excellent economic investments because, if provided early to patients, they can reduce the need for more expensive treatment.

Dr. N Subramanian, discussed the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on Cancer care, highlighting that COVID-19 is a global which disrupted healthcare. He explained that one dimension is the number of death due to COVID-19 and the other is a disruption in life and care. As a medical practitioner, we cannot delay in treatment of any disease during this period.

He further highlighted that cancer needs early attention. Apart from cancer, there are other (NCD) like diabetes, hypertension, health, and lung disease which constitute a large portion of deaths. We are aware that raising awareness, treatment, and prevention of these conditions is going to cost us nearly $ 47 Trillion in next 10 years.

He said that we have to focus on two parts. First, let us look at a disease that worse the outcomes of patients who are affected by COVID-19. Second, focusing on patients whose treatment is important by the presence of COVID-19. We know that people who belongs to the old age group, diabetes, kidney and lung diseases are required to be cautious and try to take measures to boost their immunity.

We need to focus on early interventions and the detection of NCDs as it is critically important. It’s time to understand that COVID is going to take a while to go away and we cannot let other diagnostics suffer because of this pandemic. We need to take the necessary precautions, we also need to make our healthcare services adequately safe for the non-COVID conditions, protect the patients, community, workers, and doctors. All the procedures for early diagnostics will have to go on with added precautions without any delay, said Dr. N Subramanian.

Dr. Gopi Chand Khilnani deliberated about the COVID infection and its effect  in various parts of the world and talked about its characteristics and symptoms. He said that when COVID-19 reached India, the government look at swift action towards it by taking measures like quarantines, isolation, social distancing, and lockdowns which helped to prevent the massive spread of this pandemic. After 2 months of lockdown, as we have started to unlock ourselves, we are noticing a severe escalation of the number of cases. But, we are doing robust testing, providing medical treatment and facilities to the patients at the earliest.

Talking about Cancer and other NCD, Dr. Gopi Chand Khilnani said that recently, there was an increase in the cases of health attacks in the US as the people in the US were skeptical about going to hospitals. We have learned that COVID-19 not only affects the lungs, it also affects the brain, heart, cardiovascular system, intestines, and other parts of the body. Early detection and treatment are one of the most advised ways to treat this disease. Our lifestyle will change and we need to live with this disease till the time we don’t get a solution or vaccine.

Dr. Amish Vora discussed that Cancer is not a terminal disease and statistics show that cancer patients can be cured completely for life and there is treatment available to treat this disease. During COVID-19, there is a change in perception towards cancer. He further deliberated about the short pause in the availability of medications and facilities of cancer during this pandemic and how it shiftily got back to track. Today, in every part of the world, cancer treatment is not interrupted. It is done slowly by taking all the precautions.

Mr. Aditya Talwar gave a brief insight into H.O.P.E. Oncology Clinic, its journey, and how it facilitates as a center for cure for cancer patients. He also highlighted the measures taken by the organization is keeping their patients safe during these times and treating every patient, health worker, and support staff as a part of the family. He also discussed that while the organization takes care of the patient medically; it also looks after their beauty and wellness.

Mr. Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber propose hearty vote of thanks to all our eminent panellists for sharing their knowledge and experience. He further shared that eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity and avoiding tobacco use can prevent 80% of premature heart disease, 80% of type 2 diabetes cases and 40% of cancers. Mr. Sanyal lastly concluded that Epidemic preparedness – today and in future – depends on strong health systems, a resilient, qualified, well-resourced health workforce and healthy populations.

The webinar witnessed the presence of Mr. Rajeev Talwar, Former President, PHD Chamber Dr. D K Aggarwal, President, PHD Chamber; Mr. Sanjay Aggarwal, Senior Vice President, PHD Chamber; and other senior management of the PHD Chamber.

The webinar was moderated by Mr. Vivek Seigell, Principal Director, PHD Chamber, and received expensive participation of more than 80 industry stalwarts from medical and other industries all over the country. The Webinar was sponsored by H.O.P.E. Oncology Clinic & PSRI Multispeciality Hospital  with Media partners including MedGate Today; Medical Times; Pharmatutor and others.