Making Cancer Care More Affordable in India

KKN Gurugram Desk | India has made notable progress in cancer care, with the government implementing initiatives to improve accessibility and affordability. A key milestone was the exemption of customs duty on three essential cancer medicines, introduced in the last Union Budget. However, despite these efforts, a large segment of the population still struggles with the high cost of treatment.

The upcoming Union Budget 2025 provides an opportunity to address these challenges. Strategic investments in healthcare infrastructure, domestic medicine production, and preventive health measures can help alleviate the financial and emotional burden of cancer on Indian families.

The Financial and Emotional Cost of Cancer

Cancer is a life-threatening disease that comes with substantial financial stress for patients and their families. The high cost of treatment, coupled with limited availability of quality care in rural and underserved regions, makes it even harder for families to cope.

The solution lies in making cancer care affordable, accessible, and equitable for all. With better financial support, early intervention, and preventive care, the government can help reduce the disease’s impact on millions of families.

Key Areas for the Union Budget 2025

To make meaningful progress in cancer care, the following areas require immediate focus:

1. Expand Healthcare Infrastructure

• Increase the number of specialised cancer treatment centres in rural and remote areas.
• Provide state-of-the-art equipment and modern diagnostic tools for early detection.

2. Boost Domestic Medicine Manufacturing

• Support the production of affordable generic cancer medicines under the Make in India initiative.
• Reduce dependency on expensive imported drugs by encouraging local pharmaceutical innovation.

3. Strengthen Preventive Measures

• Launch widespread screening programmes to detect cancer in its early stages.
• Promote awareness about lifestyle changes and habits that can reduce cancer risk.

4. Enhance Universal Health Coverage (UHC)

• Include comprehensive cancer care under UHC schemes to provide affordable treatment to economically weaker sections.
• Introduce financial subsidies for cancer treatments for underprivileged families.

5. Strengthen Public Health Programs

• Invest in research and innovation for new cancer therapies and prevention strategies.
• Train healthcare workers and professionals in managing complex cancer cases.

A Roadmap for the Future

With the rising incidence of cancer in India, the need for affordable and accessible care has never been greater. The Union Budget 2025 presents an opportunity to set a new direction in cancer care. Policymakers must focus on creating cost-effective and equitable solutions that address the growing health crisis.