Lok Sabha Question No. 2230 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-23
Subject: Fatality Rate in COVID
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sisir Kumar Adhikari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUE STION NO. 2230 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23 RD SEPTEMBER, 2020

## FATALITY RATE IN COV ID

## 2230. SHRI SISIR KUM AR ADHIKARI:

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

- (a)  whether  the  fatality  rate  reported  in  COVID - 19 for  cancer  patients  is  the  highest  in  the country during last 6 months, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether cancer is the top most co mmon diseasein India responsible for maximum mortality with about 0.5 million deaths per year;
- (c) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken by the Government for the prevention of thedisease;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide free treatment to all the cancer patients in al the hospitals including private hospitals; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)

(a) to (e): Information regarding estimated incidence of cancer cases and estimated mort cancer cases is based on the National Cancer Registry Programme Report (NCRP) of Indi Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The latest report of NCRP is for the year 2020, which is based on data for the period 2012 - 16, as compared to earlier report of 2016, which was based on data for the period 2012 - 14. Also, the year 2020 report is based on an increased coverage terms of more number of Population B ased Cancer Registries (PBCRs) and expansion of some existing PBCRs .As a result of above changes, the annual figures of estimated incidence mortality of cancer cases in the country have undergone revision as compared to previous of NCRP of 2016 and the revised year - wise figures are as under:

| Year                                | 2017         | 2018      | 2019      |
|-------------------------------------|--------------|-----------|-----------|
| Estimated incidence cancer cases    | of 12,92,534 | 13,25,232 | 13,58,415 |
| Estimated Mortality of cancer cases | 7,15,010     | 7,33,139  | 7,51,517  |

PublicHealth  and  Hospitals  is  a  State  subject.  The  Central  Government,  however supplements the efforts of the State Governments to prevent and control cancer and to p affordable  and  accessible  care.  The  Government  is  implementing  National  Programme  fo Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotio awareness  generation,  early  diagnosis,  management  and  referral  to  an  appropria te  level institution  for  treatment. To  tackle  the  challenge  of  Non  Communicable  Diseases  (NCD), including  cancer,  637  NCD  Clinics  at  District  level  and  4,472  NCD  Clinics  at  Communi Health  Centre  level  have  been  set  up  under  NPCDCS. Under  NPCDCS,  populat ion  level initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs (diabetes, hypertensio common  cancers  viz.  oral,  breast  and  cervical  cancer)  is  also  being  implemented  acros country .  Screening  of  common  NCDs  including  three  common  cance rs  i.e.  oral,  breast  and cervical  is  also  an  integral  part  of  service  delivery  under  Ayushman  Bharat - Health  and Wellness Centres. Awareness campaigns on common risk factors for NCDs, including cancer, and  promotion  of  healthy  lifestyle  are  also  carried  o ut  through  electronic  and  social  media. Camps for awareness generation and screening for common NCDs are also organized at Praga Maidan,  New  Delhi,  during  the  India  International  Trade  Fair.  ICMR - National  Institute  of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICP R), Noida, has launched www.cancerindia.org with the theme 'India Against Cancer', a portal that provides information on the leading cancers in India with a major focus on awareness, prevention and treatment of th ese cancers. Several measures have been taken to discourage the use of tobacco products, which is one of the key risk f Cancer,  besides  initiative  to  promote  healthy  lifestyles  through  healthy  eating  and physical  activity.  Under  NHM  suppor t  is  provided  to  States/UTs  to  provide  free  essential medicines and diagnostic services for primary and secondary health care needs.

To  enhance  the  facilities  for  tertiary  care  of  cancer,  the  Central  Governme implementing Strengthening of Tertiary C are for Cancer Scheme, under which setting up of 19 State  Cancer  Institutes  and  20  Tertiary  Care  Cancer  Centres  have  been  approved.  Fur Oncology is also one of the focus areas in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institut under  Pradhan  Mantri  Sw asthya  Suraksha  Yojana  (PMSSY).  Setting  up  of  National  Cancer Institute  at  Jhajjar  in  Haryana  and  strengthening  of  Chittaranjan  National  Cancer  In Kolkata, are also steps in the same direction.

Cancer  is  diagnosed  and  treated  at  various  levels  in the  health  care  system.  In Government hospitals, treatment is either free or highly subsidized. Treatment of cancers available under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY). Besides this, Affordable  Medicines  and  Reliable  Implan ts  for  Treatment  (AMRIT)  Deendayal  outlets  have been  opened  at  210  Institutions/Hospitals  with  an  objective  to  make  available  Cancer Cardiovascular  Diseases  drugs  and  implants  at  discounted  prices  to  the  patients.  Und umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN), financial assistance is provided to families living  below  threshold  poverty  line  for  their  treatment,  including  treatment  of  ca Government hospitals.

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