Home / Health / Ayushman Bharat Aids 68 Lakh Cancer Patients, Funding Falls Short
Ayushman Bharat Aids 68 Lakh Cancer Patients, Funding Falls Short
15 Mar
Summary
- Ayushman Bharat covered over 68 lakh cancer treatments worth Rs 13,000 crore.
- Annual cancer care needs are estimated at Rs 33,000 crore, far exceeding current allocations.
- Scheme reforms propose a Rs 25 lakh family 'revolving ceiling' for better continuity of care.
The Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has significantly improved access to cancer treatments for millions in India since its launch in 2018. The scheme has facilitated over 68 lakh cancer treatments, valued at around Rs 13,000 crore, notably benefiting rural and low-income groups and increasing the likelihood of timely treatment initiation.
However, a substantial funding shortfall remains. Delivering comprehensive, five-year cancer care is estimated to cost Rs 33,000 crore annually, while the scheme currently allocates only about Rs 7,700 crore for cancer treatments. Experts suggest smarter spending, focusing on early diagnosis and screening, could save lives and reduce costs.
Proposed reforms include a Rs 25 lakh per family 'revolving ceiling' over five years to ensure continuity of care for high-cost treatments. An additional Rs 10 lakh top-up for advanced-stage cancers is also suggested. Integrating diagnostics and screening into the scheme is recommended to further enhance early detection and patient outcomes.
