Jaipur: Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Saturday stated that India records more than 15 lakh cancer cases every year, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research's National Cancer Registry Programme. He emphasized that the government has intensified efforts in prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and patient care.
Government Initiatives and Ayushman Bharat
Addressing the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day event organized by Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jaipur, Radhakrishnan noted that the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana has supported over 68 lakh cancer treatments, amounting to more than Rs 13,000 crore. He highlighted that nearly 75% of the scheme's beneficiaries come from rural areas, underscoring its role in bridging healthcare access gaps.
Expansion of Cancer Care Services
The Vice President informed that the Centre is expanding district-level cancer services through Day Care Cancer Centres, with over 450 such centres already operational in hospitals across the country. He also highlighted measures under the National Health Mission, including early cancer screening via Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the inclusion of anti-cancer medicines in essential drug lists at district and sub-divisional hospitals.
Call for Stronger Collaboration
Stressing the need for enhanced institutional coordination, Radhakrishnan urged cancer treatment centres to improve collaboration and knowledge-sharing. He called for wider dissemination of the latest technological advances in cancer care across both public and private hospitals to improve treatment outcomes and expand access to quality care. He emphasized that deeper cooperation among institutions would strengthen India's response to the growing cancer burden.
