Lok Sabha Question No. 733 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-05
Subject: Increase in Cancer Mortalily
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dibyendu Adhikari

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

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 733 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH February, 2021

## INCREASE IN CANCER M ORTALILY

## 733. SHRI DIBYENDU ADHIKARI:

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

- (a) whether cancer is the top most common disease in India responsible for maximum mortality with about 0.5 million deaths per year, if so, the details thereof, State/UT - wise during the y ar 2019 and 2020;
- (b) the action taken by the Government on the prevention of the disease therefor;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to provide free treatment to cancer patients in all hospital including private ones thereof; and
- (d) 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): 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  Pr ogramme  for  Prevention  and  Control  of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) for interventions up to dis level under National Health Mission., with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human r development,  health  promot ion  &  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 health facilities run by the Central and State Governments.

With Ayushman Bharat, India has launched health care services in a holistic manner include preventive and promotive health care. A population level initiative of Prevention 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 healt Under this initiative, frontline health workers such as Accredited Social Health Activist and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANM), inter alia, are leveraged to ca rry out screening as well as to  generate  awareness  about  the  risk  factors  of  NCDs  including  cancer  among  masses. initiative is under implementation across the country. Screening for common NCDs includ cancer  is  also  an  integral  part  of  service  deliv ery  under  Ayushman  BHARAT -Health  and Wellness Centers.

(c)& (d) : The treatment of cancer in many of the state and Central Government instituti is  free  for  BPL  patients  and  subsidized  for  others.  The  central  Government  supplement efforts  of  the  State  Government  to  prevent  and  control  cancer  and  to  provide  afforda ble  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, Diab Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented under the Na tional Health Mission (NHM) for intervention up to district level includes awareness generation for prevention,  screening,  early  detection  and  referral  to  an  appropriate  level  instit treatment. For cancer, the focus is on three cancers name ly breast, cervical and oral.

(ii) To enhance the facility for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is impl Tertiary Care Cancer Centre Scheme to support setting up of  States Cancer Institutes (S Tertiary Care Cancer Centers (TCC C) in different parts of the Country.

(iii)  Oncology  in  its  various  aspects  has  focus  in  case  of  new  AIIMS  and  many  upgra 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 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  counter 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 Ausha are set up by Department of Pharmaceuticals to provide generic drugs at affordable prices.

(vii) Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yoj na (PMJAY)provides benefit of coverage of Rs. 5,00,00/ - to eligible families giving cashless access to services at the point of service in empanelle (both public and private) across India. The treatment of cancer is also included under PM - JAY.