Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of the latest cancer data report of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the probability of cancer in people who are more than 60 years is one out of nine and if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to investigate and check the average mortality rate in this regard?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a) to (c): National Centre for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), Bengaluru, an institute under Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) published a “Three-year Report of Population Based Cancer Registries: 2012-2014” and “Consolidated Report of Hospital Based Cancer Registries: 2012-2014” in May 2016.
According to ICMR report; 1 out of 8 men has probability of developing cancer in their lifetime (0-74 years). Similarly, 1 out of 9 women has probability of developing cancer in their lifetime (0-74 years).
NCDIR is implementing National Cancer Registry Program (NCRP), functioning through 33 Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs) and more than 200 Hospital Based Cancer Registries (HBCRs). This provides relevant epidemiological information on cancer.
In addition, the Central Government has taken following steps regarding mortality due to cancer:
I. The objectives of National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented under National Health Mission (NHM) for interventions upto the district level includes awareness generation for Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment. For Cancer, the focus is on three Cancers namely breast, cervical and oral.
II. A population level initiative for prevention, control and screening for common Non-Communicable Diseases (diabetes, hypertension and cancers viz. oral, breast and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in over 215 districts of the country under NHM, as a part of comprehensive primary healthcare.
III. To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities Scheme to support the setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.
IV. Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY).
V. Setting up of National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar (Haryana) and Second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata has been approved.
VI. The Government is providing financial assistance to patients living below poverty line for life threatening diseases under the schemes such as Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) and Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG).
VII. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 158 Institutions/Hospitals with an objective to make available Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients. Jan Aushadhi stores are set up by Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic drugs at affordable prices.
VIII. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY) provides for benefit coverage of Rs. 5,00,000/- to over more than 10 crore beneficiary families, giving cashless access to services for the beneficiary at the point of service in empanelled hospitals (both public and private) across India. More than 1350 medical packages have been finalized by an expert committee. The treatment of cancer is also included under PMJAY.