Lok Sabha Question No. 878 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-07
Subject: Expensive Treatment of Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Ramashankar  Vidharthi Rajbhar

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 878 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 th FEBRUARY, 2025

## EXPENSIVE TREATMENT OFDISEASES

## 878. SHRI RAMASHANKAR RAJBHAR:

Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the treatment of diseases like cancer, heart disease and kidney failure is expensive for the poor and lower middle class people in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make it affordable;
- (b) the number of Government hospitals in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (c) whether the Government has started working under Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) scheme to establish multi-speciality hospital in every district and if so, the details thereof along with the status of the same in Uttar Pradesh;
- (d) whether there is a shortage of doctors and nurses in the country and if so, the details thereof, State-wise along with the plans to fill these shortages; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to formulate new policy to control the rising prices of medicines and medical equipments to provide relief to the common man and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (e): Cancer, heart attack, and kidney diseases are treated at various healthcare levels. Government hospitals offer free or subsidized treatment for the poor. Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY)provides Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care, benefiting 55 crore people (12.37 crore families, bottom 40% of the population). Recently, PM-JAY extended health coverage to all senior citizens aged 70+, regardless of income.

The Health Benefit Package (HBP) of AB PM-JAY covers 1961 procedures across 27 specialties, including NCDs and related complications like cancer (Radiation, Chemotherapy, Surgery), stroke, coronary angioplasty, bypass, hypertension, and diabetic foot. Treatments are available at 29,929+ empaneled hospitals.

The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) aims to provide affordable generic medicines through 14,000+ Janaushadhi Kendras (as of October 21, 2024). The scheme includes 2047 medicines and 300 surgical devices, covering cardiovascular, anti-cancer, and anti-diabetic drugs.

Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT), by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfareprovides affordable medicines for cancer, cardiovascular, and other diseases. As of January 15, 2025, 220 AMRIT Pharmacies across 29 States/UTs offer 6,500+ drugs, implants, and surgical disposables at discounts of up to 50%.

Financial assistance is provided to BPL patients with life-threatening diseases, including cancer, under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) and Health Minister ' s Discretionary Grant (HMDG). HMDG offers up to ₹1.25 lakh, while RAN provides up to ₹15 lakh.

The National Health Mission (NHM) improves health infrastructure, human resources, and accessibility, especially in rural areas. National Free Drugs and Free Diagnostic Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Under NP-NCD, anti-cancer, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic drugsare available in District and SubDivisional Hospitals.

The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) was launched in 2010 to tackle hypertension, diabetes, and cancers (oral, breast, cervical) by strengthening infrastructure, human resources, early diagnosis, and referrals. It has established 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units, 372 Day Care Centres, and 6410 Community Health Centre NCD Clinics.

The PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) enhances public healthcare infrastructure by addressing critical gaps in urban and rural areas. Under PM-ABHIM, 602 districts have received Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) for emergency and pandemic response, with block sizes in high-population districts set at 50, 75, or 100 beds, based on 25% of existing District Hospital capacity. (Status of CCBs is available at Annexure).

As per Health Dynamics of India (Infrastructure & Human Resources) 2022-2023 Report of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, the details regarding posts sanctioned, in Position and shortfall of doctors, nurses and details of Government hospitals is available in the public domain at following URL:

https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Health%20Dynamics%20of%20India%20%28Infrastructure%2 0%26%20Human%20Resources%29%202022-23\_RE%20%281%29.pdf

The National Free Drugs and Free Diagnostic Services of National Health Mission ensure access to essential medicines and tests, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Anti-cancer drugsare included in the Essential Drugs List at District and Sub-Divisional Hospitals under NP-NCD.

Government hospitals provide free or subsidized NCDs treatment for the poor and needy. Under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY), 55 crore beneficiaries receive ₹5 lakh health cover per family for secondary and tertiary care, including major NCDs treatment under 200+ packages. Recent approval extends PM-JAY coverage to all senior citizens (70+). The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme operates 14000+ Janaushadhi Kendras, offering 2,047 types of medicines and 300 surgical, medical consumables and devices, out of which 87 products are available for treatment of cancer. AMRIT pharmacies sell discounted cancer drugs, with 220 stores nationwide.

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## Status of Critical Care Blocks (CCBs) in Uttar Pradeshas under:

Annexure

(Units )

| Fianaci al Year                      | State s   | Compone nt                    | SubCompone nt                                                                  |   Allocate d Quantit y |   Mappe d Quantit y |   Not Starte d |   Work in Progres s |   Complete d |
|--------------------------------------|-----------|-------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------|---------------------|----------------|---------------------|--------------|
| 2021-2 2, 2022- 23,2023 -24, 2024-25 |           | Critical Care Hospital Blocks | CCBs (50 bedded) established at GMCs- Support for Capital Work                 |                     14 |                  10 |              2 |                   8 |            0 |
|                                      |           |                               | CCBs (100 bedded) established at District Hospitals- Support for Capital Works |                     21 |                  21 |              4 |                  17 |            0 |
|                                      |           |                               | CCBs (50 bedded) established at District Hospitals- Support for Capital Works  |                     14 |                  14 |              3 |                  11 |            0 |