As per data provided by National Cancer Registry Programme of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the number of cancer cases and deaths are increasing in our country.
The increase in the number of cases may be attributed to ageing population, unhealthy lifestyles, use of tobacco and tobacco products, unhealthy diet, better diagnostic facilities etc.
While Health is a State subject, the Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments for improving healthcare including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. At present.
The National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) being implemented for interventions up to the district level includes Cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level Institution for treatment.
In addition, the Government has recently approved a scheme for enhancing the Tertiary Care Cancer facilities in the country under NPCDCS.
Under the approved scheme, for eligible institutions upto Rs. 45 crores per Tertiary Care Cancer Centre and upto Rs. 120 crores for State Cancer Institute is available to assist 20 State Cancer Institutes and 50 Tertiary Cancer Care Centres in different parts of the country.
The Central and State share for the said amount will be in the ratio 75:25 and for North East and Hill States the share would be 90:10. In the 12th Five Year Plan, Rs. 6000 crores has been allocated under NPCDCS for interventions upto the district level under National Rural Health Mission and an allocation of Rs. 3200 crores for the tertiary care component.
Government of India supports diagnosis and treatment of cancer through Central Government Hospitals/ Institutions in different parts of the country.
Financial assistance to patients is also provided under the Health Minister’s Discretionary Grant and Health Minister’s Cancer Fund under Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi. The treatment in Government institutions is either free or subsidized.
In addition to Information, Education Communication activities being undertaken by the State Governments, NPCDCS and National Tobacco Control Program are carrying out activities related to health promotion including avoidance of Tobacco and products for prevention of non-communicable diseases including cancer.
This was stated by Shri Ghulam Nabi Azad, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
