Question : World Cancer Day 2018

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government observed World Cancer Day, 2018 in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken to achieve the aims and objectives of the event;

(c) the details of programmes organized by the Government to mark this occasion;

(d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to prevent the spread of cancer so far in the country; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide free treatment for cancer patients?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)
(a) to (c): World Cancer day is observed on 4th February. Health is a state subject and the details of activities carried out by State Governments is not maintained centrally.

The Indian Council of Medical Research’s –National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research actively took part in the ‘WALK FOR LIFE 2018’ on February 4th 2018 (World Cancer Day) at Rajpath, New Delhi. The public lecture on “Cancer Awareness” was also given at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi on February 4th, 2018 so as to create awareness amongst public.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) under Ministry of AYUSH, through Central Ayurveda Research Institute for Cancer, Mumbai observed World Cancer Day by organizing Free Screening Camp for Breast, Cervix and Oral Cancer and Half Day Workshop on Cancer Awareness and Prevention” on 05.02.2018. The budgetary requirements were met from the Institute’s budget.

Union Government also used print and other forms of media such as Social Media to spread awareness. An amount of Rs. 67,80,600/- was released to Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity (DAVP) for the purpose, under National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).

(d) & (e): The treatment of Cancer in many of State and Central Government institutions is free for BPL patients and subsidized for others. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments 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 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 Cancer namely breast, cervical and oral.

II. To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is implementing Tertiary Care Cancer Centre Scheme to support the setting up of State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (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 2nd campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata and has been approved.

V. 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), State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF) and Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant (HMDG).

VI. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Deendayal outlets have been opened at 122 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.