Lok Sabha Question No. 2031 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-30
Subject: Treatment of Cancer Patients
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2031 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30 th JULY, 2021

## TREATMENT OF CANCER PATIENTS

## 2031. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE :

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

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to reduce the number of cancer patients provide proper medical treatment facilities to such patients in the country; and

(b) if so, the details thereof;

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) and (b) Health is a state subject. The Department of Health & Family Welfare, how provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/ The programme focuss es on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, healt promotion  &  awareness  generation f r  Cancer  prevention ,  early  diagnosis,  management  and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment.

A  population  level  initiative  for  p revention,  control  and  screening  for  common  Non -Communicable  Diseases  (NCDs)  i.e.  diabetes,  hypertension  and  common  cancers  viz.  Oral breast and cervical cancer, has been rolled out in over 697 districts of the country un and  also    as  a  part  of  com prehensive  primary  healthcare  under  Ayushman  Bharat -He lth  & Wellness Centres Scheme(AB - HWC). Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are  targeted  for    screening  for  common  NCDs.  Screening  of  common  NCDs  including  three common cancers i.e o ral, breast and cervical is also an integral part of service delivery Ayushman Bharat -Health and Wellness Centres.  Preventive and Promotive aspects of healt are  taken  care  of      through  a  focus  on  wellness  activities  and  appropriate  measur community awareness.

To enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer, the Central Government is imple Strengthening of Tertiary Care for Cancer Scheme, under which setting up of 19 State Ca Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Cen tres (TCCCs) have been approved.

There is also focus on Oncology in its various aspects in case of new AIIMS and many upgr institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY). Setting up of Nation Cancer  Institute  at  Jhajjar  (Haryana) and  second  campus  of  Chittaranjan  National  Cancer Institute, Kolkata are also steps in this direction. All these will enhance the capacity f of cancer in the country.

Cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facili ties. The treatment in Government Hospitals is provided free of cost. The treatment for in - patient care is also available under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) for 10.74 crore families eligible under AB - PMJAY as per Socio Economi c Caste Census (SECC) database.

Several awareness initiatives have been undertaken by the Government including observatio National  Cancer  Awareness  Day  and  use  of  print,  electronic  and  social  media.  In  addi NPCDCS supports awareness generation activities to be undertaken by the states.