Health Minister JP Nadda announced that cancer care treatment has been made a key focus area for policymakers, with ₹3000 crore earmarked to support the initiative.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Truebeam Facility a linear accelerator used in radiation oncology at the State Cancer Institute, Nadda emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing cancer care.
“We have prioritized cancer treatment and expanded our efforts in screening and early detection. Screening for oral, breast, and cervical cancers has been conducted at 1,75,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). Screening has been made mandatory starting at age 30,” he stated. “To strengthen our efforts, we have allocated ₹3000 crore towards cancer care.”
The minister also shared that over 26 crore people have been screened for oral cancer, identifying 1.63 lakh cases. Similarly, 14.6 crore individuals were screened for breast cancer, with 57,179 cases detected, and screenings for cervical cancer covered more than 9 crore people, leading to 69,973 diagnoses.
Nadda stressed the profound emotional and financial impact of a cancer diagnosis, noting, “Cancer instills fear and can break individuals emotionally and financially. However, with proactive strategies and timely interventions, we can significantly improve patients’ lives.”
