Union Health Minister JP Nadda on Sunday said that fighting cancer is a top-priority area for policymakers, and Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated over the past eight years to ensure high-quality treatment. He was speaking at the inauguration of the ‘TrueBeam’ facility—a linear accelerator used in radiation oncology—at the State Cancer Institute.
“We have made cancer treatment a top priority. We have enhanced our standards for screening and diagnosis and made screening mandatory from the age of 30,” Nadda said. “The TrueBeam facility will help provide advanced-level treatment here. Our government is fighting cancer aggressively.”
Government’s Initiatives to Combat Cancer
Nadda highlighted that cancer screening is being carried out at 1.75 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs). So far, over 26.7 crore people have been screened for oral cancer, with 1.63 lakh cases detected. Around 14.6 crore people were screened for breast cancer, leading to the identification of 57,179 cases. In cervical cancer screening, over 9 crore individuals were tested, resulting in the detection of 96,973 cases.
He emphasized that the word “cancer” instills fear and can be emotionally and financially devastating for patients. “Early intervention and proactive strategies can significantly improve patients’ lives,” he added.
The minister informed that 20 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and an equal number of Tertiary Cancer Care Centres (TCCCs) have been established, including facilities in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar and Latur. He noted that approximately 14.5 lakh new cancer cases are reported in India every year.
Nadda reiterated that Rs 3,000 crore has been allocated over the past eight years for high-quality cancer care. He added that under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), cancer treatment is being provided free of cost for the underprivileged. The scheme covers 1,960 types of surgical procedures, of which 219 are cancer-specific. So far, 68.43 lakh hospital admissions have been made under PM-JAY, and the government has spent Rs 13,160 crore on these packages.
Maharashtra Gets Its First TrueBeam Facility
Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that this is the first TrueBeam facility in the state. “Earlier, people from Marathwada had to travel to Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai for cancer treatment. This machine will ensure access to high-quality care locally,” he said. Approval has also been granted for a PET (Positron Emission Tomography) scan facility at the center.
Fadnavis added, “Cancer is spreading due to dietary and lifestyle habits. We are tackling it in two ways—through treatment and awareness.”
