Why is treatment not free for all cancer patients in the country? Health Minister JP Nadda answered


New Delhi: The issue of cancer was raised in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Many members asked questions to the Union Health Minister regarding this serious disease. In which Hanuman Beniwal, MP from Nagaur, Amarinder Singh Raja Waring, MP from Ludhiana and Shambhavi, MP from Samastipur wanted to know from the government what should be done about cheap medicines for the treatment of a serious disease like cancer? Should the government provide free treatment for this disease to patients of all classes, whether BPL or middle class.

Cancer cases are increasing every year

Responding to these questions asked during Zero Hour in Lok Sabha, Union Health Minister JP Nadda said that every year cancer cases are increasing at the rate of about 2.5 percent. Cases of oral cancer and lung cancer are increasing in men. Cases of breast cancer are increasing in women. He said that more than 15.5 lakh cases of cancer are being registered every year. There is a list of 131 essential medicines for cancer, which are in Schedule 1. The price of which is decided by the government. These are commonly used medicines. Due to this price control, patients saved about Rs 294 crore.

'We don't want to compromise on the quality of doctors'

He said there are 28 combinations which are not in this list. But NPPA (National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority) and the government have also regulated their pricing. The government has tried to make cancer drugs affordable. Nadda said medical colleges in the country are being expanded so that there can be more doctors. We do not want to compromise on the quality of doctors. Nadda told the House that the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 387 in 2014 to 731 at present, while the number of MBBS seats has increased from 51,348 to 1,12,112 during the same period. He said the number of postgraduate seats for medical students was 31,185 in 2014, which has increased to 72,627 at present.


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