CCEA nod for Rs 4,697-crore proposal on cancer facilities

With cancer emerging as a major public health challenge in India, government today cleared a Rs 4,697-crore proposal of the Health Ministry to strengthen tertiary care facilities.
A total of 20 state cancer institutes (SCI) are proposed to be set up in as many states along with 50 tertiary care cancer centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country.
Cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in India and it is estimated that at any point in time there are 28 lakh cases. New cases every year and annual mortality are estimated to be 11 lakh and 5 lakh respectively, said a Health Ministry official.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved the scheme which will also address spatial imbalances, reduce waiting period for diagnosis and treatment, provide access to free or affordable facilities for the poor and increase availability of human resources trained for cancer.
The proposal is to assist the state/UT governments in setting up State Cancer Institutes (SCI) and Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC), which will also treat those cases of cancer detected during screening at district levels.
The total expenditure that the Centre will incur on the scheme under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, CVDs and Stroke will be Rs 3,535 crore, with states contributing Rs 1,162 crore.

The scheme will enhance physical (equipment) capacity and help increase radio therapy/medical oncology and other cancer related facilities in underserved areas. It also seeks to strengthen teaching and research facilities for cancer.