Ayushman Arogya Mandir Strengthens Cancer Fight: JP Nadda

Union Health Minister JP Nadda said on Wednesday that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are playing a crucial role in strengthening India’s fight against cancer. He made these remarks on the occasion of World Cancer Day, which is observed every year on February 4 to raise awareness about cancer, its prevention, early detection, and advancements in treatment. Nadda highlighted that India has taken several important steps in recent years to address the growing cancer burden and improve access to timely care for patients across the country.

Cancer Burden Remains a Major Concern

According to estimates from the Indian Council of Medical Research’s National Cancer Registry, India recorded more than 15.3 lakh new cancer cases in 2024, with approximately 8 to 8.7 lakh deaths reported during the same period. These figures stand against a global cancer burden of nearly 20 million new cases and 9.7 million deaths in 2022. The data underscores the urgent need for stronger screening systems, affordable treatment, and improved healthcare infrastructure to reduce mortality and improve outcomes.

Using the social media platform X, the Health Minister stressed the importance of early detection and regular screening in combating cancer effectively. He pointed out that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are enabling large-scale screenings across the country, which helps detect cancer at an early stage and ensures timely treatment. Nadda also highlighted the government’s efforts to make cancer medicines more affordable by waiving customs duty on 17 cancer drugs in the recent Union Budget.

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Steps to Strengthen Cancer Care

Nadda said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has introduced multiple initiatives to strengthen cancer care in India. These include setting up Cancer Day Care units in every district and exempting customs duties on key cancer medicines, which will provide significant financial relief to patients. He added that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are emerging as a strong pillar in India’s cancer-care ecosystem by improving access to screening, diagnosis, and referral services, especially in underserved areas.

On World Cancer Day, the Health Minister also called on citizens to support cancer survivors and encourage preventive practices. He said the day serves as a reminder of the importance of awareness, early diagnosis, prevention, and timely medical intervention to build a healthier society. According to him, collective efforts from the government, healthcare professionals, and the public are essential to reduce the long-term impact of the disease.

Experts Stress Need to Strengthen Cancer Systems

Health experts welcomed the customs duty waiver on cancer drugs but emphasized the need to convert higher health investments into stronger cancer-care systems. Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Chief Secretary for Medical Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education in Uttar Pradesh, said India’s health sector has reached a defining moment, with the Union Health Budget crossing Rs 1 lakh crore for the first time. He noted that initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat, population-based screening programs, new cancer institutes, and planned cancer day-care centres are improving early detection, referrals, and affordable treatment.

Speaking at the IHW Cancer Summit in New Delhi, Ghosh added that stronger public-private partnerships and patient-centric policies will be critical to reaching the last mile. Meanwhile, Dr Shyam Aggarwal, Chairman of Medical Oncology at a Delhi-based hospital, said that the future of cancer care lies in advanced technologies such as deep DNA sequencing. He explained that moving beyond traditional imaging to detect very small tumours and using circulating tumour DNA testing will help personalize treatment and improve survival outcomes, a shift already becoming routine in several countries.

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