The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is collaborating with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to establish a nationwide system for early detection and reporting of childhood cancer. This initiative includes the creation of a registry and potentially making the disease notifiable, addressing concerns over delayed diagnosis and low survival rates among children in India.
Government's Priority on Early Detection
Leimapokpam Swasticharan, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), stated on Thursday that early detection is a key priority in childhood cancer care. He noted that setting up a registry and declaring childhood cancer a notifiable disease are under consideration. “We are still working with ICMR on this. The aim is not to miss any patient,” he said.
India records an estimated 75,000 new childhood cancer cases annually, yet survival rates remain below 60%, according to experts and studies presented at a national workshop organized by the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI).
Childhood Cancer as a 'Low Hanging Fruit'
Dr. Swasticharan described childhood cancer as a “low hanging fruit” in improving cancer survival outcomes. He explained that while the existing non-communicable disease (NCD) program includes a cancer component, the immediate focus is on early identification of children and ensuring timely treatment support.
“The priority is that a childhood cancer patient should be detected early and get financial support and medical care,” he said. He recommended adopting successful district-level models from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which include innovative financing mechanisms and community participation through self-help groups.
Enabling Families and Frontline Workers
Former NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr. V.K. Paul highlighted that India's biggest challenge is enabling families and frontline workers to recognize symptoms early enough for treatment to begin before the disease advances. “If for childhood cancer the approach is a trigger that comes from the family based on care-seeking, then I have to enable families,” he said.
Dr. Paul advocated for educating families, grassroots workers, and even doctors, as well as wider use of telemedicine, regional support systems, and national helplines for continuing care. He also emphasized the role of Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), noting that the scheme has become a critical support system for children requiring cancer treatment. “This programme is huge, as you know, 60 crore people,” he added.
Call for a National Childhood Cancer Programme
Doctors and public health experts pushed for a dedicated National Childhood Cancer Programme and stronger global partnerships. Dr. Ramandeep Arora, a paediatric oncologist at Max Hospital and governing council member of ICCI, said India already has the expertise and clinical infrastructure needed for treatment but requires stronger policy backing to improve outcomes nationwide.
“A National Childhood Cancer Programme and an MoU with the WHO to make India a partner and focus country will further bring global best practices and technology to the country,” he said. Dr. Arora also referenced a 2022 Parliamentary Standing Committee recommendation that called for a comprehensive national childhood cancer policy covering early diagnosis, shared care, and integrated paediatric oncology palliative care.
