District hospitals to become cancer care hubs; Central govt's big move to transform cancer diagnosis

NEW DELHI: The central government expanded cancer treatment care under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission and the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke.

Through this scheme, the Central Government aims to bridge the gap between urban and rural healthcare by providing early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care to millions.

The central government intends to implement this scheme to ensure modern treatment for poor patients in the nearest district hospitals rather than travelling long distances to metropolitan cities or nearby urban areas for cancer treatment.

Under this initiative, over 300 district hospitals in the country are being upgraded to offer oncology services, including pre-chemotherapy training programs and telemedicine consultations with leading oncologists from AIIMS and Tata Memorial Hospital. Additionally, the National Cancer Grid, which connects more than 270 cancer centres across India, will play a crucial role in ensuring standard treatment protocols.

Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Dr Bharati Pravin Pawar said that with the scheme's implementation, no patient in India will have to travel hundreds of kilometres for cancer treatment. Dr Pawar said it would be a leap forward towards the goal of "equal health treatment for all" envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

India reports 1.4 million new cancer cases annually, and this is expected to increase by 12 per cent in the next 5 years. Experts say that early detection of cancer can reduce mortality rates by 30 to 50 per cent.