Synopsis
On March 12, Union Minister of State for Health, Prataprao Jadhav, confirmed the government's dedication to improving cancer care and treatment access in India, highlighting several initiatives aimed at enhancing services and supporting patients.Key Takeaways
- The government is enhancing cancer care accessibility.
- 19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres approved.
- National Cancer Institute established in Jhajjar, Haryana.
- PM-JAY scheme covers cancer treatment for the underprivileged.
- Affordable medicines are available through PMBJP and AMRIT pharmacies.
New Delhi, March 12 (NationPress) The government is dedicated to enhancing care and accessibility for cancer patients through a series of initiatives aimed at both treatment and prevention of cancer within India, stated Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav.
In a detailed response during the Rajya Sabha session, the Minister outlined the efforts made to bolster the tertiary cancer care facilities scheme.
“As part of this program, 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) have received approval to offer advanced diagnostic and treatment services,” Jadhav noted.
To improve cancer care in rural areas, the government has recently inaugurated the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar, Haryana, along with a second campus of the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata. Furthermore, cancer treatment facilities have been established in all 22 new All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), which will provide comprehensive diagnostic, medical, and surgical services.
“The government guarantees that treatment in these facilities is either free or significantly subsidized for those in need, ensuring essential healthcare is available to everyone,” the MoS remarked.
Moreover, cancer treatment is encompassed within the Ayushman Bharat–Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY), which offers up to Rs 5 lakh per family each year for secondary and tertiary care. This initiative benefits around 55 crore individuals (12.37 crore families) from the lowest 40 percent of the population, Jadhav explained.
Recently, the PM-JAY was expanded to provide health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 and older, regardless of their income.
“The program features over 200 packages that include more than 500 procedures related to medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and palliative medicine within the National Health Benefits Package (HBP),” Jadhav added.
To further facilitate cancer treatment, the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) has been initiated, establishing dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs).
“A total of 15,057 PMBJKs have been launched across the nation (as of February), offering quality generic medications at reasonable prices,” the Minister stated.
The program includes 2,047 types of medications and 300 surgical devices, with 87 products specifically for cancer treatment. Additionally, the Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) initiative aims to provide affordable medications for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and various health conditions.
“Currently, there are 222 AMRIT pharmacies across 29 States and Union Territories (as of January), offering over 6,500 medications, including those for cancer, at discounts of up to 50 percent from market prices,” Jadhav mentioned.
The Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir is also in the works to enhance cancer prevention efforts. These initiatives encourage wellness activities and focused communication at the community level.
