Cancer outbreaks are increasing rapidly in India. Blood cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, breast cancer, and skin cancer, have increased rapidly in the last 5 years. According to the National Cancer Registry Program Report 2020, till that time there were more than 13 lakh cancer cases in the country. It has also been said in the report that according to the way this figure is increasing, by 2025, cancer cases in India will reach 15.7 lakh. In the report released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Center for Disease Informatics and Research (NCDIR), it has been said that this year the number of cancer-affected men will be 6.8 lakh while the number of women will be 7.1 lakh.

Cancer is considered a deadly disease. Treatment can also be difficult and costly/ That's why today we are going to tell you 5 government schemes for the treatment of cancer, which can be availed by all the patients in India?

4 government schemes for cancer treatment

Discretionary Grants of the Minister of Health

One of the first schemes launched for cancer patients is the Health Minister's Discretionary Grant. The main objective of this scheme is to provide financial assistance to cancer patients for their treatment. According to the statement issued by the PIB, under the Health Minister's Discretionary Grant (HMDG), a maximum amount of Rs 1 lakh 25 thousand is provided to those patients whose annual income does not exceed 1 lakh 25 thousand, so that the government hospital to meet a part of the expenditure on admission/treatment for cancer patients.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) Scheme or Ayushman Bharat Yojana (AB-PMJAY Scheme)

The main objective of Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is to take care of the health of 50 crore citizens in rural and urban areas. Ayushman Bharat Yojana (AB-PMJAY) provides financial assistance to underprivileged families for all expenses incurred on clinical costs, medical treatment, hospitalization, pre-existing diseases, and hospitalization. Apart from cancer, under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, financial assistance will be provided to poor families who are suffering from serious health issues like cancer. 

State Illness Assistance Fund (SIAF)

These will mainly provide financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh for cancer patients under the Illness Assistance Fund for specific states and union territories. Citizens of only a few states can apply for this.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare-National health fund

The National Health Fund was formed in 1997 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Its objective was to provide financial assistance to patients living below the poverty line who are suffering from life-threatening diseases so that they can avail the facilities of treatment in government hospitals. Under this, arrangements have been made for the treatment of such people in super specialty hospital institutions and government hospitals.