Shimla: BJP leader, neurosurgeon and MLA Janak Raj from Bharmour has rubbished a report published in The Times of India suggesting a high prevalence of cancer in Himachal Pradesh, calling it “misleading” and capable of creating unnecessary panic among people.
Dr. Janak Raj said the report was being misinterpreted and widely circulated to claim that cancer cases were alarmingly rising in the hill state.
“This is incorrect. The incidence and prevalence of cancer in Himachal Pradesh are broadly at par with the national average. Presenting it as an alarming surge is misleading and creates unnecessary fear among people,” he said.
Taking a dig at the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government, the BJP MLA alleged that the state was indulging in “sham publicity” over a handful of robotic surgeries while the basic health infrastructure across hospitals remained in disarray.
“Lakhs of patients are struggling to get basic treatment. Hospitals lack essential facilities and the system is overburdened.
Instead of fixing these fundamental issues, the government is busy patting its own back after performing a few robotic surgeries,” he said.
Dr. Janak Raj warned that such policy decisions could end up producing a “Cobra Effect”, a term used when a policy designed to solve a problem ends up worsening it.
Explaining the concept, he cited the famous example from the Delhi during British rule in India, when authorities announced a reward for killing cobras to reduce their numbers.
Instead of solving the problem, people began breeding cobras to claim the reward. When the scheme was scrapped, the snakes were released, leading to an even bigger infestation.
“Similarly, policies introduced without addressing ground realities may backfire. If the healthcare system is not strengthened at the basic level, flashy technologies like robotic surgery will benefit only a select few while common patients continue to suffer,” he said.
He added that instead of chasing high-end technologies for publicity, the government should focus on reducing hospital overcrowding and ensuring accessible and dignified healthcare for ordinary people across Himachal Pradesh.
