Centre approves schemes to improve cancer facilities

Mumbai: The Centre has approved a scheme for enhancing the tertiary care cancer facilities in the country under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS), Union minister of health and family welfare J.P. Nadda said on Sunday.

Mr Nadda also said India’s under-5 mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio declined at a higher pace than the global average. There has been a significant decline in Total Fertility Rate (TFR) as well.

The minister also said Rs 45 crore will be given to each state for setting up tertiary cancer treatment centres, which will cater to the need of patients. He said Rs 200 crore would be allocated to be released to states to specially tackle problems related to cancer.

The minister was speaking at a conference on ‘Healthcare: Commodity or basic human need’, organised by the Tata Memorial Centre on the occasion of its Platinum Jubilee.

The minister said various healthcare schemes and awareness programmes undertaken by the present government have resulted in the decline of under-5 mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio. Mr Nadda said, “The comparison between Sample Registration System’s report released in 2005 and 2015 clearly shows the decline, due to programmes implemented by the new government.”

“India is projected to nearly achieve the Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5, while MDG 6 goal to reverse the incidence of malaria, TB and HIV/Aids has already been achieved,” said the minister. Regarding improvement in facilities to treat ailments like cancer, Mr Nadda said, “50 tertiary care centres would be coming up, each state will be allocated Rs 45 crore, we will provide financial and technical support.”