Lok Sabha Question No. 5747 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-04
Subject: Free treatment for Serious Illnesses
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Murari Lal Meena

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTHAND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5747 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH APRIL, 2025

## FREE TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS ILLNESSES

## 5747. SHRI MURARI LALMEENA:

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

(a) the measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Union Government and State Governments to prevent and control the critical diseases in the country, especially Dausa district of Rajasthan;

(b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to construct hospitals for serious illness including cancer in various district of Rajasthan;

(c) whether the treatment cost incurred in Government hospitals are in lakhs due to which economically weaker section and middle class cannot take treatment in time and if so, the State wise details thereof;

(d) whether the financial help in comparison to cost of treatment is very less in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to give free treatment for serious illness in the country and 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 PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) & (b) Health is a State subject. However, the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States and Union Territories under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NPNCD) as part of National Health Mission (NHM). Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics, 372 District Day Care Centres and 6410 Community Health Centre NCD Clinics have been set up in the country including Rajasthan.

Apopulation-based initiative for screening, management and prevention of common NCDs including cancer have been rolled out as a part of comprehensive Primary Health Care in the country under National Health Mission (NHM) through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. Screening of these common NCDs including oral, breast and cervical cancers is an integral part of 12 package of service delivery.

The Central Government has implemented the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centres Facilities Scheme in order to enhance the facilities for cancer care at tertiary level. Under the scheme, there is provision of providing one time grant up to Rs. 120 crore for State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and up to Rs. 45 crore for Tertiary Cancer Care Centers (TCCCs) including State share. The funds sharing ratio between Centre and State is 60:40 while for NE and Hilly States the ratio is 90:10. Under this scheme, 19 SCIs and 20 TCCCs have been approved, including SMS Medical College Jaipur (SCI), S.P Medical College, Bikaner (TCCC) and Jhalawar Medical College & Hospital, Jhalawar (TCCC). Further, Cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS. In Rajasthan, AIIMS Jodhpur is providing treatment for serious illnesses including cancer in Rajasthan.

The Union Finance Minister, in her Budget Speech, announced to facilitate setting up of Day Care Cancer Centres in all district hospitals in the next 3 years. 200 Centres will be established in 2025-26. This initiative builds upon existing efforts, with 372 District Day Care Centres already established across district hospitals.

(c) to (e) The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy. The initiatives taken by Government of India for accessible and affordable treatment, are as follows:

-  Under Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), health assurance/ insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization to over 55 Crores beneficiaries is provided. Recently, AB PM-JAY extended health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70 plus, regardless of income. The treatment packages under AB-PMJAY are very comprehensive covering various treatment related aspects such as drugs and diagnostic services.
-  National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free Diagnostic Service initiative has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities and reduce out of pocket expenditure of the patients.
-  The Jan Aushadi Kendras (JAKs) under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) provides affordable generic medicines, including anti-cancer medicines. Under PMBJP scheme, 2,047 medicines and 300 surgicals, medical consumables and devices are available.
-  Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT), initiative provides affordable medicines including for cancer. As on 28.02.2025, there are 222 AMRIT Pharmacies spread across 29 States/Union Territories, selling more than 6500 drugs including Cancer at significant discounts.
-  The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has fixed the ceiling prices of 131 anti-cancer scheduled formulations. NPPAhas also fixed retail price of 28 anti-cancer formulations.
-  Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance has reduced the customs duty to Nil and GST rates from 12% to 5% for three anti-cancer drugs in Financial Year 2024-25.