Parliament Question: National Cancer Care Policy

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 301* TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 13THMARCH, 2026 NATIONALCANCER CARE POLICY †*301. SHRI NILESH DNYANDEV LANKE: SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: Will the MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government proposes to implement a comprehensive National Cancer Care Policy in the country and if so, the details thereof; (b) the reasons as to why only 30 per cent of districts have access to comprehensive cancer centres at present along with the steps being taken to bridge this disparity; (c) whether the Government acknowledges the increasing financial burden on patients and their families for cancer treatment and if so, the measures being considered to reduce this burden; (d) the manner in which the Government proposes to increase public awareness and participation regarding cancer screening among women in the country, particularly in Maharashtra; and (e) whether any specific funds are being allocated for improvement of cancer care infrastructure in various States including Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA) (a) to (e) AStatement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLYTO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 301* FOR 13TH MARCH, 2026 (a) to (e) The Department of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to States and Union Territories across the country under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) as part of the National Health Mission (NHM). The programme focuses on strengthening infrastructure, human resource development, screening, early diagnosis, referral, treatment, and health promotion for Non- Communicable Diseases (NCDs) including cancer. Under NP-NCD, 770 District NCD Clinics and 6,410 NCD clinics at Community Health Centres have been set up across the country. A population-based initiative for prevention, control and screening for common NCDs including three common cancers (oral cancer, breast cancer and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in the country including Maharashtra under NHM. In this initiative, persons more than 30 years of age are targeted for their screening at Ayushman Arogya Mandir. Prevention, control & screening services are being provided through trained frontline workers [Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) & Auxiliary Nurse and Midwife (ANM)]. As per the announcement of Union Budget 2025-26, the government plans to set up Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in each district hospitals in the next 3 years. As of date, 479 Day Care Cancer Centres are functional across the country. A screening drive for Non-Communicable Diseases including cancer of all individuals aged 30 years and above was conducted at health facilities across the country including Maharashtra from 20th February 2025 to 31st March 2025. “Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan”, conducted from 17th September to 2nd October 2025, health camps were organised at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs), Community Health Centres (CHCs) and other health facilities, wherein women were screened for oral, breast and cervical cancers. Other initiatives for increasing public awareness about NCDs including cancer 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 continued community awareness. Additionally financial support under NHM for awareness generation (IEC) activities to be undertaken by the States and Union Territories. Under National Health Mission (NHM), National Free Drugs Initiative and Free Diagnostic Services ensure essential medicines and diagnostics at public health facilities, reducing out-of-pocket expenses. Anti-cancer drugs are included in the Essential Drugs List at health facilities. Financial assistance is provided to States/UTs on the basis of theirState Programme Implementation Plans (SPIPs). During FY 2025–26, SPIP approvals amounting to ₹ 1302.89 crores have been accorded for implementation of programme activities across States/UTs, including Maharashtra, for prevention, screening and management of major NCDs including cancer. The Department of Health and Family Welfare implements Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme. Under this scheme, 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) have been approved across the country. In the State of Maharashtra, one State Cancer Institute (SCI) at Government Medical College, Aurangabad and two Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) namely Rashtrasant Tukdoji Regional Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Nagpur and Vivekanand Foundation & Research Centre, Latur have been approved. Under the Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer Facilities Scheme, there is a provision for providing a one-time grant of up to ₹120 crore for State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and up to ₹45 crore for Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs), including the State share. The total Central share approved for all 39 institutions is ₹1985.59 crores, including three institutions in Maharashtra. Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), a grant-in-aid institution under the Department of Atomic Energy, has established six hospitals across the country in Varanasi, Visakhapatnam, New Chandigarh, Guwahati, Sangrur and Muzaffarpur to provide high quality comprehensive cancer care treatment. The Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai is also providing services for cancer care. Also, cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 new AIIMS. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) at Jhajjar provides advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities and the second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata, have been set up with specialized infrastructure and expert manpower to serve as critical hub for advanced cancer care, diagnosis, research and treatment. Treatment of major NCDs including Cancer treatment are available under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY). This scheme provides for Rs. 5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care hospitilization in the empanelled public and private hospitals. The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) and Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) Pharmacies improve access to affordable cancer medicines, stents, and implants, reducing out-of-pocket expenses and supporting long-term treatment adherence. ****