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A major announcement in the Union Budget presented on Saturday was the establishment of 200 Cancer Dacare Centers in district hospitals in 2025-26. Although they would work to decentralize cancer care, experts expressed concern over the absence of adequate medicos enough to run them amid increasing incidence of cancer.
The government’s goal is to add cancer decar centers to all district hospitals in the next three years. There are currently 759 district hospitals in the country.
“Cancer is not a disease of facility … We call it an accurate medicine,” Dr. BS Ajikumar said, Cancer Care Chain Healthcare Global Enterprises (HCG) founder and executive chairman. , He said, “How will they run these centers … Do we have skilled talent to run them?”
At the same time, it is important to make cancer medicines from cancer and more accessible and inexpensive care in the country.
These centers aim to reach patients beyond Tier-I cities and reduce the burden of care on the low number of hospitals offering cheap cancer. But they will need skilled employees -doctors, nurses and technicians to run skilled employees.
Additionally, there is a need to increase the overall ecosystem, from detection to providing various forms of treatment.
A growing burden
“Cancer is a rising health problem and the way we are deployed, as far as population conditions are concerned, in the coming years, the problem of cancer care is going to increase manifold,” Dr. Raj Nagarkar, MD and head of surgical oncology and head said. Robotic services at HCG Manvata Cancer Center in Nashic, Maharashtra.
According to a study published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, in 2022 there were estimated 1.46 million cases of cancer in India – an event of more than 100 more than 100,00. One of the nine Indians is likely to develop cancer during their lifetime. The study has increased by about 12.8% in the incidence of cancer cases in 2025 compared to 2020.
However, in the last few decades, cancer care has been centralized towards metros or developed cities, Darkar Tarkar. “In fact, most states of India still lack basic good cancer care facilities.”
The metro has a major burden on select public hospitals that provide cancer care to low -income groups – and prolonged waiting time, as well as distance, are important preventives for patients and families, healthcare providers.
In such a scenario, the daycare centers in district hospitals are a step in the right direction.
Talent difference
“Cancer care is not like a heart or trauma … This is a multi -kissing team where you need to guide by a team of advisors, including surgeons, chemotherapists, radiation oncologists,” said Nagarkar.
The way these centers are expected to work is in a hub-spoke model. Some premiere institutes in states will still serve as primary places of care, where diagnosis and first aid are given. These decare centers will act as secondary spaces-working on chemotherapy, minor processes and follow-up care.
Each center will require a multi -woller team, including oncologist, medical officer, oncology nurses, lab technicians, counselors and social workers, administrative and assistant employees.
“However, India currently has only 2,500 oncologists – which is necessary given the burden of the disease, is half of the same,” said the government’s advisory services companion, strategy and transactions, Satyam Shivam Sundaram said in EY India, Satyam Shivam Sundaram. .
He said, “In addition, the distribution of oncologists is highly slanting, with a limited presence in Tier-II and Tier-III cities,” he said.
Another 2,000-2,500 oncology nurses and technicians will be required. For apsculing, special oncology training programs, running for 6–12 months, will be required.
While Finance Minister Nirmala Sitarman on Saturday announced the construction of 75,000 new medical seats in the next five years, there was no mention of specific skilling for cancer treatment.
Aye, tech to step in
“In this context, teleconstation and AI-run diagnostic support oncologist will play an important role in ensuring specialization of oncologist,” Sundaram said.
If the screening infrastructure is reinforced and well -structured care tracts are applied, the effect will be greatly enhanced.
“We all understand that due to lack of staffing in care centers on these days we can’t do all the work required for the treatment of cancer,” Geta Manjunath, founder Neeramai said, AI-based for the initial detection of breast cancer A startup using technology. The first thing that was needed said, “There is a good screening program at the grassroots level for the initial detection of public health and cancer”.
In addition to making awareness about these centers along with detection programs, in addition to making them accessible to regular chemotherapy, in addition to impressing people and people of lower income groups in low -income areas, Manjunath said.
Additionally, these centers should be equipped to complete a variety of cancer remedies. “This is not a size-fit-all approach … Cancer care has now become more personal,” Nagarkar said.
Cancer is cheaper, but not for everyone
Another major announcement in this year’s budget was that 36 life -wing drugs for cancer and rare chronic diseases would be fully exempted from basic customs. In addition, six lifestyle cancer and rare diseases will be subject to less duty of 5% if they are provided free of cost to eligible patients.
While this discount was a welcome step, experts believe they are not enough. “These 36 drugs are used for a very low percentage of the population of the cancer patient,” Nagarkar said.
“To really benefit patients on a large scale, GST exemption on such drugs is important. I am disappointed that this aspect has been ignored and only imported drugs are exempted from customs, “Kiran Majumdar Shaw, Chairperson, Biocon said.
He said, “GST exemption on indigenously developed drugs for both cancer and chronic diseases is necessary to reduce the cost burden on patients … given that 80% of the health care expenses in India are out of pocket , “He said.
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