Assuring innovative funding models for childhood cancer support, Deputy Director General of Health Services L. Swasticharan stated the government’s goal of achieving a 60% survival rate for childhood cancer by 2030. Speaking at an event marking International Childhood Cancer Day, Swasticharan emphasized the government’s commitment to saving human capital, aiming for all children to survive and contribute to the envisioned Viksit Bharat 2047.
Highlighting the government’s focus on childhood cancer, Swasticharan mentioned the absence of a separate National Policy but noted that the current framework is flexible enough to include programs for access and financial assistance for children with cancer and their families. He commended the 9 States that signed MoUs to prioritize childhood cancer, urging governments to collaborate closely with all stakeholders to ensure no child is left behind.
Stakeholders advocating for improved funding were encouraged to provide targeted solutions and data to aid policymakers in supporting diagnostics, treatment, and training specific to childhood cancers. The event, hosted by CanKids KidsCan, showcased progress in increasing access to care, with 9 state governments making childhood cancer a health priority, aiming for 100% access, 100% financial protection, and 60% survival by 2030.
Professor Sameer Bakshi from AIIMS emphasized the importance of strengthening systems to enhance survival rates among childhood cancer patients, aiming to raise the national survival rate from 50% to 60% by 2030. He stressed the need for better coordination among stakeholders in the childhood cancer field to improve outcomes. Poonam Bagai, a member of ICMR Central Ethics Committee on Human Research, highlighted the importance of dialogue, solutions, and policy integration, supported by the newly formed Technical Expert Group for childhood cancer.
The event also recognized the contributions of former IAS officer Karan Avtar Singh, CSR legislation advocate Nikhil Pant, and banker Piyush Gupta in advocating for systems and capital support. Childhood Cancer Survivors Excellence Awards were presented to Dr. Tanveer Ahmed and sports climbing medallist Shivani Charak.
