Lok Sabha Question No. 1286 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-09
Subject: Affordable Treatment of Cancer
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Sangeeta Azad

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1286 TO BE ANSWERED ON 9 th FEBRUARY, 2024

## AFFORDABLE TREATMENT OF CANCER

## 1286. SHRIMATI SANGEETA AZAD:

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

(a) whether the Government has any plan to tackle the increasing burden of cancer in India, considering it is the third-largest cause of death in the country with almost 1.4 million new cancer cases detected each year and expected increase of upto two million by 2040 and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government has any plan/strategy to allocate more resources for cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment and to ensure an equitable distribution of healthcare funds given the fact that cancer receives only 20 percent of the health expenditure despite causing 60 percent of all deaths and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has any plan to initiate awareness campaigns and preventive measures to reduce the incidence of recently highlighted preventable causes of factor contributing such as tobacco, infections, poor diet and lack of physical activity and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to make cancer treatment more affordable and accessible considering the financial challenges encountered by many patients during the course of treatment despite the Government initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, where patients are facing significant out-of-pocket expenses and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (PROF. SATYA PAL SINGH BAGHEL)

(a) and (b): The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NonCommunicable Diseases (NP-NCD), as part of National Health Mission (NHM), based on the proposals received from the States/UTs and subject to the resource envelope. The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion & awareness generation for prevention, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facility for treatment of the Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer. For activities upto district level and below, States are given financial assistance under NHM in the ratio of 60:40 (90:10 in case of NE and hilly States). Under NP-NCD, 753 District NCD Clinics, 355 District Day Care Centres, and 6237 Community Health Center NCD Clinics have been setup.

Cancer is diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care delivery system including District Hospitals, Medical Colleges, Central Institutes like AIIMS and private sector hospitals. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy. The Central

Government is also implementing Strengthening of Tertiary Care of Cancer Scheme in order to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer. 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) have been approved under the said scheme.

National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar (Haryana) and second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata have also been setup. There is also focus on Oncology in its various aspects in case of new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY).

(c): Preventive aspect of Cancer is strengthened under Comprehensive Primary Health Care through Ayushman Arogya Mandir scheme, by promotion of wellness activities and targeted communication at the community level. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about Cancer and its risk factors (including tobacco consumption, alcohol intake, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet and air pollution) and for promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National Cancer Awareness Day and World Cancer Day and use of print, electronic and social media for community awareness. Furthermore, healthy eating is also promoted through FSSAI. Fit India movement is implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and various Yoga related activities are carried out by Ministry of AYUSH. In addition, NP-NCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for Cancer to be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

(d): 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 60 Crores beneficiaries is provided. The treatment packages under AB-PMJAY are very comprehensive covering various treatment related aspects such as drugs and diagnostic services.

Financial assistance is provided to poor patients belonging to families living below poverty line, suffering from major life-threatening diseases including cancer under Umbrella scheme of Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi (RAN) and Health Minister ' s Discretionary Grant (HMDG). Financial assistance upto a maximum of Rs. 1,25,000/- is provided under HMDG to defray a part of the treatment cost and the maximum financial assistance provided under the Health Minister ' s Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF) under Umbrella Scheme of RAN is Rs. 15 lakhs.

Quality generic medicines are made available at affordable prices to all, under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) in collaboration with the State Governments. Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, to make available Cancer drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price.

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