By Sonali Patranabish & Varshith SV
The budgetary announcement of 200 cancer centres has been met with a mixed bag of reactions. While, on one hand, experts have lauded the government's intent towards upgrading the cancer care infrastructure through decentralisation, they have also raised doubts over the intended impact of these day-care cancer centres. The effectiveness of this initiative will hinge on multiple factors the availability of manpower and staffing, a thorough infrastructure and a holistic approach.
India is grappling with an alarming surge in cancer cases, with forecasts from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) estimating a 12-18 per cent increase in incidence rates. A recent EY-FICCI report further warns of a staggering 45 lakh cases in the next five to six years. Amidst these daunting statistics, the country’s cancer care infrastructure appears grossly inadequate - only 29 per cent of cases are detected early, and the mortality rate remains disproportionately high.
Early detection plays a pivotal role in improving patient outcomes in cancer, however low numbers reveal a grim situation. Screening penetration stands at a dismal 1 to 2 per cent of the population. Reports also state that only 15 per cent and 33 per cent of breast, lung and cervical cancers are detected in their early stages, and apparently, only 15 per cent of women take up screening for breast cancer.
Adding to the crisis, the economic burden of cancer in India is projected to skyrocket from $11 billion in 2020 to $40 billion by 2030. Reports indicate that less than 30 per cent of Indian districts have comprehensive cancer treatment facilities, leaving millions without access to timely care. The urban-rural divide adds an extra layer of complexity, with only a meagre 40 per cent of tertiary cancer care centres (TCCs) being located outside metropolitan cities.
A ray of hope: The Budget 2025 promise
In a bid to bridge the glaring gaps, the recent Union Budget 2025 has unveiled a massive cancer care overhaul, pledging to establish 200 cancer care centres across districts over the next three years. This move aims to decentralise treatment, ease the burden on metro hospitals, and provide accessible, specialised oncology care across the country.
Experts weigh in: A step forward, but challenges remain
While the industry welcomes this initiative, experts stress that infrastructure alone won’t solve the crisis - the success of these centres hinges on skilled personnel, cutting-edge technology, and equitable distribution of resources.
According to Behram Khodaiji, CEO, Ruby Hall Clinic, “The plan to set up daycare cancer centerres in district hospitals and 200 dedicated cancer hospitals by 2026 will decentralise care, reducing the burden on metropolitan hospitals and making critical treatments more accessible. However, ensuring these centres are well-equipped with skilled professionals and advanced technology will be key to their success."
Sonam Garg Sharma, Founder and CEO, Medical Linkers further added that the addition of 200 cancer centres would ensure accessibility to specialised care beyond metro cities. “This will make critical treatments more accessible to a larger population and encourage medical travellers from countries with limited oncology facilities to consider India for treatment.” opined Sharma.
Will Cancer Care Centers be India’s answer to the growing crisis ?- A Filtered View
The government’s push for expanded cancer care infrastructure is undeniably a step in the right direction, but will it be enough to combat the cancer epidemic? The question arises if this step forward would alleviate India's plethora of challenges -growing cancer burden, rising mortality rates, insufficient diagnostic and medical equipment and the urban-rural disparity.
800 districts vs proposed 200 district day care cancer centers
The proposal of 200 cancer care centres across three years versus 800 districts in India waiting for an overhaul in the cancer care infrastructure, is surely something to ponder on. Reports suggest that currently, only eight district hospitals in India have fully operational cancer care centres, adding another 200 would still amount to a dismal number, 208! These alarming statistics have pushed us to rethink if this strategy would uplift and fill the gaping voids in the deplorable cancer care infrastructure.
Lack of a holistic approach
Several experts have also offered contrasting opinions on the budgetary announcement by the government. While stating that decentralisation of cancer care would have been the prime motive of the government to launch cancer care centres, they have expressed concern over the fact that these facilities would lack a holistic approach towards cancer care. Experts are doubtful if these day-care centres would add value to the cancer care infrastructure given the lack of radiation and surgical oncology facilities at these centres.
Workforce woes
One of India's long-standing challenges has been the dearth of skilled workforce. With the proposal of 200 centres being erected over the next three years, it deeply concerns experts regarding the competency of these centres.
Dr Pragnya Coca, Senior Consultant Oncology, Kauvery Hospital Electronic City, Bangalore stated, "The real challenge would be in staffing these centres with trained staff and incentivising medical professionals to provide district-level care versus concentrating on lucrative urban hubs only.”
Trained radiologists, surgeons and oncologists are the basic prerequisites for a fully functional cancer care centre, the lack of which would lead to ineffective decision-making and poor clinical outcomes.
Shortage of medical equipment
The galloping number of cancer cases is no surprise going by the fact that a meagre nine districts in India have basic diagnostic equipment like the colposcope and cryo machine for cancer screening. Rural India and tier II and III cities have often faced a shortfall of quality diagnostic and medical equipment. Despite being a flourishing industry, the medical equipment and device industry has been stifled due to the regulatory landscape and the recent ban on the import of medical devices. Equipping these 200 cancer care centres with basic infrastructure amidst the unavailability of medical equipment is surely a point to reflect upon.
This leaves us with a barrage of questions. Was this move just a shallow promise or a conduit to garner the trust of the masses? Can these centres effectively reduce mortality and improve early detection rates? Or will India continue to grapple with the daunting reality of a widening care gap?
As India battles a growing cancer crisis, the answer to these questions will determine whether this initiative is a turning point or just another policy announcement.
What do you think?
Can new cancer care centres transform India’s fight against cancer?
