ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): No, cancer is not the top contributor for mortality in India.
(b): Public Health is a State subject. However, the Central Government supplements the efforts of States/UTs through technical and financial support.
In order to combat the major Non Communicable Disease (NCDs) including cancer, Government of India is implementing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for interventions up to district level under National Health Mission., with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment and follow up to non-communicable disease including cancer. To tackle the challenge of Non Communicable Disease (NCDs), including cancer, 637 NCD clinics at districts level and 4460 NCD Clinics at Community Health Centre level has been set up under NPCDCS. Treatment for cancer is also available at other health facilities run by the Central and State Governments.
With Ayushman Bharat, India has launched health care services in a holistic manner to include preventive and promotive health care. A population level initiative of Prevention, control and screening for common NCDs (diabetes, hypertension and common cancers viz Oral, breast and cervical cancer) has also been rolled out, as a part of comprehensive primary health care. Under this initiative, frontline health workers such as Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), inter alia, are leveraged to carry out screening as well as to generate awareness about the risk factors of NCDs including cancer among masses. The initiative is under implementation across the country. Screening for common NCDs including cancer is also an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman BHARAT – Health and Wellness Centers.
(c) & (d): The treatment of cancer in many of the state and Central Government institutions is free for BPL patients and subsidized for others. The central Government supplements the efforts of the State Government to prevent and control cancer and to provide affordable and accessible care. Some of the steps taken by Central Government are as follows :
(i) The objective of the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented under the National Health Mission (NHM) for intervention up to 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) To enhance the facility for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing Tertiary Care Cancer Centre Scheme to support setting up of States Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centers (TCCC) in different parts of the Country.
(iii) Oncology in its various aspects has focus in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna(PMSSY).
(iv) Setting up of National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar (Haryana) and second campus of Chittranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI), Kolkata.
(v) The Government is providing financial assistance to patients living below poverty line for life threatening diseases under the schemes such as Rastriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN),Health Minister’s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) and Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG).
(vi) Affordable Medicines and Reliable implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacy counters have been opened at various hospitals/institutions with objectives to make available Cancer and various other diseases drugs and implants at discounted prices to the patients. Jan Aushadhi sores are set up by Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic drugs at affordable prices.
(vii) Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (PMJAY)provides benefit of coverage of Rs. 5,00,00/-to eligible families giving cashless access to services at the point of service in empanelled hospitals (both public and private) across India. The treatment of cancer is also included under PM-JAY.
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