The Central Government is enhancing cancer care services across India through the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission and the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke.
This initiative is designed to close the healthcare gap between rural and urban areas by offering early diagnosis, timely treatment, and palliative care for cancer patients within their own districts. The aim is to ensure that individuals, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, can access modern cancer care without needing to travel long distances to major cities.
As part of the program, more than 300 district hospitals nationwide are being equipped to provide oncology services. These upgrades include the introduction of pre-chemotherapy training sessions and telemedicine consultations with expert oncologists from AIIMS and Tata Memorial Hospital. Furthermore, the National Cancer Grid which links over 270 cancer centres across the country will support the implementation of uniform treatment standards.
Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, stated that this initiative marks a significant step toward ensuring that no cancer patient in India is forced to travel hundreds of kilometers for care. She emphasized that the program aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of “equal health treatment for all.”
India currently records around 1.4 million new cancer cases every year, with a projected 12% increase over the next five years. Health experts point out that early detection can lower cancer-related deaths by 30 to 50 percent.
