The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on 13th Feb that a budget of ₹3,200 crore has been earmarked to set up day-care cancer centres (DCCCs) in over 740 district hospitals across India over the next three years.
As part of the initiative, 200 such centres are planned to be established in the financial year 2025-26. Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava stated that a nationwide survey of district hospitals is already underway to identify existing gaps in infrastructure and resources.
“The objective is to enhance access to quality cancer treatment, particularly in rural areas, and ease the pressure on tertiary care hospitals, enabling them to concentrate on handling critical cases,” Srivastava mentioned during a press conference discussing the health ministry’s provisions in the Union Budget.
Additionally, the Department of Health Research (DHR) has been granted an 18% increase in its budget allocation. It has also received an additional ₹531 crore for the first year of the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) five-year Viksit Bharat strategic plan.
The five-year initiative focuses on six key areas: advancing indigenous healthcare technologies like cell and gene therapy, addressing persistent health challenges, developing digital and AI-based healthcare solutions, implementing research-driven medical practices, strengthening pandemic preparedness, and enhancing the global standing of Indian medical research institutions.
