Respiratory diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide . Lung infections (mostly pneumonia and tuberculosis), lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) together accountes for one-sixth of the global total. The World Health Organization estimates that the same four diseases accounted for one-tenth of the disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) lost worldwideThe burden of respiratory disease has increased all over the country. In Assam and its adjoining state Arunachal Pradesh too both acute and chronic respiratory diseases like Asthma, Allergy, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Interstitial lung disease( ILD),Tuberculosis, Sleep Apnea, Lung cancers etc are prevalent in substantial numbers. Lung cancer is the most often diagnosed cancer and leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In India, lung cancer accounts for 5.9% of all cancers and 8.1% of all cancer-related deaths.Trends in cancer incidence rate shows that the epidemiology of lung cancer is much higher in upper Assam and neighbouring states . Besides Lung cancer, the burden of Tuberculosis is also significant here and the number of MDR(multi drug resistant) cases are also increasing for which quick and proper diagnosis is of utmost importance. Previously in the region of Upper Assam and the neighboring state of Arunachal Pradesh, there were not much scope for allergy testing, sleep study, CT-guided lung and pleural biopsy, Bronchoscopy and therefore, people had to go outside their states to Delhi or other Metro cities for higher Respiratory Treatment. However, after the establishment of Healthcare Polyclinic (Chest and Allergy Centre) in 2019 in Dibrugarh,Assam the situation has changed as procedures and treatment in the field of Respiratory Medicine can be done here itself. This Chest centre with its interventional proceduces like flexible bronchoscopy , CT-guided lung and pleural biopsy provides early diagnosis for lung cancer patients with better outcome minimizing the economic costs .
Health Care Polyclinic (Chest and Allergy Centre) is one of the only few Chest Clinics of Upper Assam where all Respiratory Procedures are Performed. Pulmonary Function testing(PFT), Allergy Testing, Sleep Study, Bronchoscopy ,CT-guided Lung Biopsy, Pleural Biopsy etc are done here on daily basis. All types of therapeutic interventions and higher treatment for chest diseases are done here including chemotherapeutic regimens for Lung cancer patients. People of Upper Assam and adjoining state of Arunachal Pradesh can come here for treatment of all sorts of respiratory and allergy problems. The Chest clinic is headed By renowned Pulmonologist Dr Gitartha Baruah who is one of the pioneers of Respiratory medicine in Upper Assam and is recipient of many Awards in the field of Respiratory Medicine. During Covid Pandemic Dr Gitartha Baruah along with his trained team of devoted doctors, rendered heathcare at par to any institute of repute across the country following all the standard COVID treatment protocols. Dr. Gitartha delivered day and night of untiring efforts despite all the hurdles, the changing genomics of the virus, varying trends of the disease severity and could manage the covid cases with favourable outcome. To his credit, he treated almost 2000 cases of covid cases with a very low mortality rate. For his contribution during the covid pandemic, in April 2022, Dr Gitartha was felicitated by All Assam Students Union, the largest and the most prestigious students’ organization of North East India.
The Chest Clinic is a boon to the people of Upper Assam and Arunachal Pradesh as now they don’t have to go outside North East For Higher Respiratory Treatment as all critical procedures can be done here itself.The Chest Clinic also conducts periodic free health camps for the needy patients for their Respiratory and Allergy Problems. HealthCare Polyclinic(Chest and Allergy Centre) is Located in Graham Bazar Tiniali, Dibrugarh, Assam and its Contact number is 9689065096.