In a significant move to enhance cancer care in India, the government has announced the establishment of Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in district hospitals nationwide over the next three years. This decision was revealed in the Union Budget 2025-26, with plans to set up 200 centres during the upcoming fiscal year. The primary objective is to provide chemotherapy services closer to patients’ residences and alleviate the burden on large tertiary hospitals.
Cancer treatment typically involves multiple hospital visits spanning several months, necessitating regular chemotherapy cycles and follow-ups for optimal outcomes. For many individuals, particularly those in rural areas or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, frequent trips to city-based tertiary hospitals are physically taxing and financially straining. The associated costs of travel, accommodation, meals, and lost wages further compound the challenges. Patients undergoing chemotherapy often require a caregiver to accompany them, escalating expenses and income loss for families.
By introducing chemotherapy services at district hospitals, the new centres aim to significantly reduce travel distances and associated expenses. This initiative is expected to help families save money and minimize disruptions to their daily routines. Before finalizing the locations for the new centres, the government conducted a comprehensive gap analysis in collaboration with states and Union Territories, considering factors such as cancer prevalence, patient volume, and existing infrastructure.
Moreover, the program emphasizes training and capacity building. Medical officers and nurses from selected districts underwent intensive four to six-week training sessions at mentor institutes like government medical colleges, regional cancer centres, and State Cancer Institutes. The training encompassed various aspects including chemotherapy administration, dosage calculation, side effect management, emergency response, infection control, drug handling, and patient counseling. This rigorous training ensures that district-level facilities adhere to stringent safety and quality protocols.
An essential aspect of this initiative is the provision of essential chemotherapy drugs free of cost at public health facilities. Given that medication expenses constitute a significant portion of cancer treatment costs, supplying these drugs for free will alleviate the financial burden on patients. The government has also bolstered procurement and distribution systems to ensure the consistent availability of these crucial medications.
