Lok Sabha Question No. 1067 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-08
Subject: Increasing Burden 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. 1067 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th DECEMBER 2023

## INCREASING BURDEN OF CANCER

## 1067. SHRIMATI SANGEETAAZAD:

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 their course of treatment despite the Government initiatives like the Pradhan-Mandtri 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) to (d) As per the Indian Council of Medical Research - National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR - NCRP), the estimated incidence of cancer cases is increasing in the country for the year (2020-2022) and the details are given below.

| Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2022) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2022) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2022) - Both Sexes   | Estimated incidence of cancer cases (2020-2022) - Both Sexes   |
|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|
| Year                                                           | 2020                                                           | 2021                                                           | 2022                                                           |
| Estimated incidence of cancer cases in India                   | 13,92,179                                                      | 14,26,447                                                      | 14,61,427                                                      |

The incidence of cancer cases is projected to increase from 14.61 lakhs in 2022 to 15.7 lakhs in 2025.

The Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, however, provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non

Communicable 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 focusses 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). Under NP-NCD, 744 District NCD Clinics, 355 District Day Care Centres, 219 Cardiac Care Units, and 6237 Community Health Center NCD Clinics has been set up.

Apopulation-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs has been rolled out in the country under NHM and also as a part of Comprehensive Primary Health Care. Under the initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening for the common NCDs i.e. Diabetes, Hypertension and three common cancers i.e oral, breast and cervical. Screening of these common NCDs is an integral part of service delivery under Ayushman Arogya Mandir (erstwhile Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centre).

Diagnosis and treatment of NCDs including cancer is available at various levels in the health care delivery system including District Hospitals, Medical Colleges, Central Institute like AIIMS, Central Government Hospitals and private sector hospitals. The treatment in Government Hospitals is either free or highly subsidized for the poor and needy.

Treatment of major NCDs including cancer are also available under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) coverage of Rs. 5 lakhs per family per year for secondary or tertiary care hospitalization is provided to over 60 crore poor and needy beneficiaries. Financial assistance is provided to poor patients belonging to families living below poverty line, suffering from major life-threatening diseases 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 Umbrella Scheme of RAN is Rs. 15 lakhs.

Besides, 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, with an objective to make drugs available at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the Maximum Retail Price.

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 NCDs, promotion of healthy lifestyle includes observation of National Cancer Awareness Day and World Cancer Day & use of print, electronic and social media for continued 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, NPNCD gives financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities for NCDs to be undertaken by the States/UTs as per their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs).

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