Mumbai, Sep 30 (NationPress) The Maharashtra cabinet, under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has recently approved a robust cancer treatment policy aimed at guaranteeing high-quality care for cancer patients throughout the state.

As part of this initiative, the Maharashtra Cancer Care, Research and Education Foundation (MAHACARE Foundation) will be established. This foundation will facilitate specialized cancer treatments in 18 hospitals statewide, with the goal of expanding the number of cancer-related day-care facilities.

The policy outlines a three-tier structure for cancer hospitals, categorized as L-1, L-2, and L-3. These facilities will offer comprehensive services including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, postgraduate and super-specialty education, cancer diagnosis, surgical interventions, physiotherapy, psychological support, research, palliative care, drug availability, and awareness initiatives. The MAHACARE Foundation is tasked with providing manpower, funding, and guidance to the L-2 and L-3 centres as needed.

Additionally, a Command and Control Centre will be created to enhance coordination among all these centres. An expert executive board will oversee the daily operations of this foundation, which will collaborate with NGOs for palliative care initiatives. The foundation aims to develop new cancer treatment methodologies and implement suitable, cost-effective health programs at the local level, while also promoting awareness about health service research and lifestyle modifications to prevent diseases.

The foundation will facilitate information exchange between health care centers across the country and within the state. An initial capital of Rs 100 crore will be allocated to the MAHACARE Foundation. Moreover, the cabinet has approved the allocation of 20% of the fees collected by cancer hospitals under the Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana to support the MAHACARE Foundation.

Beyond this, the foundation will seek funding through clinical trials and may also raise funds from international organizations, donations, grants, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This funding will support various projects under the medical education and pharmaceuticals sector, in addition to cancer care.

The procurement of equipment, staffing, and management for L-3 level centres will be handled by the MAHACARE Foundation in accordance with the Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy. Recruitment for positions in government medical colleges at the L-2 level will be managed by the Medical Education Department and the Public Health Department, with relaxed approval conditions from the high-level committee.

As stated in the government's release, the introduction of this cancer treatment policy is crucial, especially given the recent surge in cancer cases, which is projected to escalate further.

The 2025 report from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Centre for Disease Data (NCDIR) indicates an 11% increase in cancer patients in the state since 2020, with around 100 cases detected per 1 lakh individuals nationally. Acknowledging the grave cancer situation in the country, the Central Government has announced in the Budget 2025-26 plans to establish day-care centres for cancer treatment in every district hospital within the next three years. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has instructed states to implement necessary measures, leading to the formulation of this policy by the government.