Union Health Ministry’s ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centre Facilities’ Scheme
The Union Health Ministry is taking steps to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer through its ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centre Facilities’ Scheme. The scheme aims to improve the tertiary cancer care facilities in the country by providing budgetary support to various institutes. The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar, stated these initiatives in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha. These measures aim to improve the facilities for tertiary cancer care in the country and further health research in India.
19 State Cancer Institutes and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres
Under the scheme, 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) have been approved. These institutes not only focus on tertiary care but also on cancer research.
Focus on Oncology
The All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, and the new AIIMS under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY) are also focusing on Oncology in its various aspects.
Department of Health Research
The Department of Health Research/Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) also carries out medical research on various health-related subjects. This includes research on cancer through its annual budgetary support.
Primary Responsibility
The primary responsibility for implementing health schemes in the country lies with the States. However, the Union Health Ministry is providing additional budgetary support through its centrally sponsored schemes to supplement the efforts of the States/UTs in implementing various health activities.
Tobacco Control and Drug De-addiction Treatment
The Union Health Ministry’s centrally sponsored schemes also include activities under the National Programme for Tobacco Control and Drug De-addiction Treatment (NPTCDAT).
The Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar stated this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
