Lok Sabha Question No. 363 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-20
Subject: Free of Cost Treatment for Serious Diseases
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Harish Chandra Meena

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE

## LOKSABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 363 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 20 TH DECEMBER, 2024

## FREE OF COST TREATMENT FOR SERIOUS DISEASES

## †*363. SHRI HARISH CHANDRA MEENA:

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

- (a) the details of progress made under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke in the country including Rajasthan;
- (b) whether there is shortage of doctors and other healthcare workers available for testing, diagnosis and management of these diseases leading to delayed treatment and even death of several patients due to lack of treatment, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the cost of treatment of serious diseases like cancer and neuro runs into lakhs of rupees in the Government hospitals due to which people belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections and middle class are unable to get treatment, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to provide free of cost treatment for these diseases, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 363 FOR 20 TH DECEMBER, 2024

(a) to (e) In order to prevent and control major Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs), viz, Hypertension, Diabetes, oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer, the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Disease (NP-NCD) was launched by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India in 2010 with focus on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, health promotion, early diagnosis, management and referral to an appropriate level of healthcare facilities. Under the programme, 770 District NCD Clinics, 233 Cardiac Care Units (CCU), 372 District Day Care Centres and 6410 Community Health Centre have been set up across the country. In Rajasthan, 48 District NCD Clinics, 08 Cardiac Care Units (CCU), 33 District Day Care Centres and 760 Community Health Centres have been set up.

National NCD Portal has been rolled out by the Government of India in 2018 under NP-NCD for NCD screening and management and ensuring continuum of care for five common NCDs.

Prevention, control & screening services are being provided through trained frontline workers [Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) & Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM)], and the referral support and continuity of care is ensured through Community Health Centres, District Hospitals and other tertiary care institutions. Training Modules on screening, management and awareness generation for NCDs have been developed for training of various categories of health staff viz. Nurses, ANMs, ASHAs and Medical Officers.

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 and other Healthcare workers in Public Health facilities is available in the public domain at following URL:

https://mohfw.gov.in/sites/default/files/Health%20Dynamics%20of%20India%20%28 Infrastructure%20%26%20Human%20Resources%29%202022-23\_RE%20%281%2 9.pdf

The National Health Mission provides support for improvement in health infrastructure, availability of adequate human resources to health facilities, to improve availability and accessibility to quality health care especially for the underserved and marginalized groups in rural areas. National Free Drugs Service initiative and Free diagnostic Service has been rolled out to ensure availability of essential drugs and diagnostic facilities and reduce out of pocket expenditure of the patients visiting public health facilities. Under NP-NCD, the anti cancer drugs are available in the Essential Drugs List at District Hospitals and Sub Divisional Hospitals.

NCDs are diagnosed and treated at various levels in the health care facilities. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy. Treatment of major NCDs are also available under Ayushman Bharat -Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides health cover of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization to approximately 55 Cr beneficiaries corresponding to 12.37 Crore families constituting the bottom 40% of India ' s population. The Central Government has also recently approved health coverage for all senior citizens of the age 70 years and above irrespective of their income under PM JAY.

The latest national master of the Health Benefit Package (HBP) of AB PM-JAY provides cashless healthcare services related to 1961 procedures across 27 specialties including NCDs and complications arising due to NCDs like Packages for treatment of Cancer (Radiation Oncology, Chemotherapy and Surgical Oncology), Stroke Management, Coronary Angioplasty, Coronary Bypass, Accelerated Hypertension and Diabetic Foot, etc. These treatments are available at a network of more than 29,929 hospitals empanelled under the scheme.

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) Scheme was launched by the Government to set up dedicated outlets known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) to provide quality generic medicines at affordable prices. As on 21st October 2024, over 14,000 PMBJKs have been opened in the country. Under PMBJP, 2047 types of medicines and 300 surgical devices have been brought under the basket of the scheme including cardiovascular, anti-cancers, anti-diabetic drugs.

Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT), an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare aims to provide affordable medicines for treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and other diseases. As on 30.11.2024 there are 218 AMRIT Pharmacies spread across 29 States/Union Territories, selling more than 6,500 drugs (including cardiovascular, cancer, diabetes, stents, etc), implants, surgical disposables and other consumables at a significant discounts upto 50% on market rates.

The Central Government implements the Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centers Facilities Scheme in order to enhance the facilities for cancer care at tertiary level. Under this scheme, 14 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 18 Tertiary Cancer Care Centers (TCCCs) are functional and offering patient care services.

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