LS attention drawn towards rising cancer cases across India
They also demanded an increase in the Ayushman Bharat health scheme's coverage amount from Rs 5 lakh to at least Rs 25 lakh.
Ujjwal Raman Singh of the Congress party brought up the matter during Zero Hour, highlighting the rapid rise in cancer cases and the growing number of affected patients.
He said that changes in diet and lifestyle have made cancer a serious threat, with the number of patients afflicted by this deadly disease continuously increasing. He called upon the government to launch special awareness programs and take necessary measures to support cancer patients.
Singh also warned that cancer is fast becoming a pandemic and could soon take the form of a tsunami.
Citing a World Health Organization (WHO) report, he said that cases of many types of cancer are on the rise, including among children. He expressed concern that by 2050, cancer could claim the lives of 85 percent of those diagnosed.
India is witnessing a large number of fatalities due to this complex illness, and there is an urgent need to increase awareness among the public. He also called for government assistance to institutions such as the Cancer Institute in Lucknow and the Kamala Nehru Cancer Institute in Prayagraj.
According to the Government report, in India, around 100 out of every 1 lakh people are diagnosed with cancer. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) notes that the estimated number of incidences of cancer cases was more than 14 lakhs in 2023 in India.
Regarding the Ayushman Bharat scheme, Singh noted that medical assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh is provided to the poor. Given the increasing burden of cancer cases, he argued that this amount is insufficient and must be raised to Rs 25 lakh. He emphasized that since the scheme aims to benefit the poor, its coverage should be enhanced specifically for treating life-threatening diseases like cancer, to ensure every economically weaker patient can avail the benefits.
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