As many as 466 Day Care Most cancers Centres (DCCCs) are at the moment useful throughout the nation, reflecting a gradual enlargement and strengthening of district-level chemotherapy providers, Union Well being Ministry sources mentioned.
The federal government, within the Union Finances 2025-26, had introduced the institution of Day Care Most cancers Centres in district hospitals nationwide over the following three years, with 200 centres slated to be arrange through the present monetary 12 months.
The initiative was launched in response to the rising most cancers burden and the necessity to strengthen the general public well being system by making chemotherapy providers out there nearer to sufferers’ houses.
“The target is to decentralise routine most cancers remedy and scale back dependence on tertiary hospitals for scheduled chemotherapy,” a Well being Ministry supply mentioned.
Most cancers remedy typically requires a number of hospital visits over a number of months, with common follow-ups and well timed chemotherapy cycles important for efficient outcomes.
For a lot of sufferers, notably these from rural areas or economically weaker sections, repeated journey to tertiary hospitals in cities will be financially and bodily taxing. Bills associated to journey, lodging, meals and lack of each day wages add considerably to the general burden.
Sufferers present process chemotherapy are sometimes weak and require a caregiver throughout hospital visits, that means each the affected person and attendant incur journey prices and wage loss.
“By making chemotherapy providers out there at district hospitals, DCCCs considerably scale back journey distance, oblique expenditure and disruption to household revenue, thereby easing the socio-economic affect of remedy,” the supply mentioned.
Earlier than sanctioning new centres, the ministry undertook an in depth hole evaluation in session with states and Union Territories, assessing most cancers burden, affected person load and infrastructure readiness.
These institutes included authorities medical schools, regional most cancers centres, state most cancers institutes and tertiary most cancers hospitals with ample oncology experience.
Coaching coated chemotherapy administration, affected person evaluation, dose calculation, administration of unwanted effects, emergency response, an infection management, protected dealing with of cytotoxic medication, biomedical waste administration, counselling of sufferers and caregivers, and referral coordination.
The ministry mentioned the initiative has strengthened district-level medical competence and ensured uniform requirements of care.
Free provision of important chemotherapy medication at public well being services is one other key part of the programme. Since medicines account for a big share of most cancers remedy prices, guaranteeing their availability by means of authorities provide techniques helps scale back out-of-pocket expenditure.
Beneath the framework, sufferers are initially identified and remedy plans formulated at Tertiary Care Most cancers Centres, State Most cancers Institutes or different greater oncology services.
The primary chemotherapy cycle is run on the mentor institute. As soon as stabilised and the routine finalised, subsequent cycles are offered at district-level centres. In case of issues or want for superior intervention, sufferers are referred again to greater centres, guaranteeing continuity and security.
The initiative has additionally upgraded current infrastructure. Practical DCCCs have been strengthened with improved services, gear, skilled manpower and streamlined drug provide techniques, whereas new centres have been added in recognized districts.
“At current, 466 DCCCs are useful throughout the nation, reflecting regular enlargement and strengthening of district-level chemotherapy providers,” a supply mentioned.
The DCCC initiative, officers added, represents a complete and patient-focused reform in most cancers care supply.
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