Government's Bold Move: New District-Level Daycare Cancer Centres

The government is surveying district hospitals to establish daycare cancer centres, budgeted at Rs 3,200 crore, over three years. These centres will improve rural cancer care and relieve tertiary centres. The initiative aligns with existing cancer investments, including SCIs, TCCCs, and drug subsidies.

The government has embarked on a comprehensive survey to evaluate the infrastructure of district hospitals nationwide. This initiative is a step towards fulfilling the budget announcement about setting up daycare cancer centres in every district hospital over the upcoming three years.

The ambitious plan, set to be rolled out with an estimated expenditure of Rs 3,200 crore, aims to make quality cancer care accessible, especially in rural regions. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the plan in her budget speech, stating that 200 centres will be functional by 2025-26, reducing the burden on tertiary centres and focusing on complex cases.

A senior health official detailed that these centres will accommodate four to six beds and prioritize chemotherapy alongside cancer prevention and awareness. The ongoing efforts are financially backed by over Rs 3,000 crore already designated for State Cancer Institutes and Tertiary Cancer Care Centres while providing subsidized oncology drugs through AMRIT pharmacies and other initiatives.