Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 26: In a significant move to strengthen cancer care infrastructure, the Union government has approved 297 new day care cancer centres across India for the financial year 2025–26, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav informed Parliament on Friday.

Responding to a written query in the Lok Sabha, Jadhav said the initiative stems from the Union Budget 2025–26 announcement, which proposed the establishment of day care centres in district hospitals to provide chemotherapy and other essential cancer care services.

“These centres are intended to support follow-up chemotherapy for patients referred by tertiary care hospitals,” the Minister said, adding that each unit may cost up to ?1.49 crore, depending on local needs and existing infrastructure. With the new additions, the country’s total number of day care cancer centres will rise to 661.

Jadhav also provided an overview of the government’s broader oncology initiatives under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). He noted the establishment of 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) across various regions. These institutes receive financial assistance of up to ?120 crore for SCIs and ?45 crore for TCCCs for infrastructure, advanced diagnostic tools, surgical equipment, and patient care facilities.

Highlighting key national facilities, he pointed to the National Cancer Institute in Jhajjar (Haryana) and the second campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata as leading centres providing high-end diagnostics and treatment services.

Cancer care infrastructure has also been integrated into the country’s expanding AIIMS network. “Cancer treatment facilities have been approved in all 22 newly established AIIMS,” Jadhav said.

In parallel, the government has rolled out a population-based screening initiative for common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) — including cancers — under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir component of the National Health Mission (NHM). This aims to strengthen early detection, prevention, and referral services through Comprehensive Primary Health Care.

Efforts to bolster oncology education are also underway. The National Medical Commission (NMC) has relaxed several norms to make it easier to launch postgraduate (PG) courses in Oncology and other specialties. Colleges can now initiate PG programs with just two seats and two faculty members, even without senior residents.

Furthermore, government medical colleges can start PG courses alongside undergraduate programs, and other institutes can apply just one year after launching their MBBS course, Jadhav explained.

This multi-pronged approach — combining infrastructure, education, and early detection — reflects the Centre’s growing emphasis on improving cancer outcomes in India, where the disease continues to be a major public health challenge.