With Maharashtra recording the highest number of oral cancer cases in the country, the state government has come up with the country’s first oral health policy named as Swachh Mukh Abhiyan. Under this program, it will be mandatory for all private dental hospitals and clinics to provide free screening for poor patients with oral cancer. The mission will also focus on creating awareness on oral hygiene and the dangers of tobacco use. The program aims to screen 5 crore people by involving the private sector, as state-run facilities are already contributing to this scheme.
The government is planning to fund the treatment through existing healthcare schemes. Swachh Mukh Abhiyan was finalized for launch after Tata Memorial Hospital presented a grim picture about the incidence of oral cancer, especially among youngsters. The state witnesses nearly 1 lakh deaths linked to tobacco use every…
