New Delhi, March 19 (IANS). 68 lakh cancer patients in India have undergone treatment through Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and rural India holds 75 per cent stake in it. This information was given by Union Health Minister JP Nadda in Parliament.
The Union Health Minister said that under the Ayushman Bharat Health Insurance Scheme, more than 68 lakh cancer treatment has been done across the country, which cost more than Rs 13,000 crore. Out of these, more than 4.5 lakh targeted treatment has been done, which cost around Rs 985 crore. 76.32 percent of the total beneficiaries are from rural areas.
The Union Minister also referred to the recently launched nationwide screening campaign for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer prevention and management. The campaign will run till 31 March and a target has been set to screen 100 percent of people aged 30 and above. It is being operated under the NP-NCD framework through Ayushman Arogya Temple and other health institutions.
Under the PMJAY scheme, treatment of various cancers including breast, mouth and cervical cancer is available. The scheme includes more than 200 packages with more than 500 healing procedures of medical oncology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology and palate medicine. Of these, 37 package are associated with targeted treatment.
The Health Minister said that those who are suffering from cancer and below the poverty line (BPL) can get up to Rs 15 lakh as a one -time financial assistance under the Health Minister Cancer Patient Fund (HMCPF).
He informed that generic medicines are being provided at 50 percent to 80 percent cheaper rates compared to branded drugs through Jan Aushadhi Stores and 217 Amrit Pharmacy. A total of 289 oncology medicines are being given at half the price from the market price.
For the financial year 2025-26, a provision has been made to establish 200 Day-Care Cancer Centers in the budget. Apart from this, 770 district NCD clinics, 233 cardiac care units, 372 District Day-Care Centers and 6,410 community health centers have been set up at 770 district NCD clinics across the country under the National Non-Monitoring Prevention and Control Program.
It was reported that 19 state cancer institutes and 20 tertiary cancer care centers have been set up across the country, where advance cancer care services are being provided. Chemotherapy services are also being provided through 372 District Day-Care Centers across the country.
-IANS
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