The healthcare sector in the country sees the need to improve population-based screening, particularly for cancers that are common and preventable. There is a need to train and empower primary healthcare staff so that cancer care becomes an integral part of healthcare, said Dr. Sanket Mehta, founder & surgical oncologist, SSO Cancer Hospital.
It is important to develop the oncology workforce, cancer data systems, and the referral networks. More importantly, there is a need to focus on palliative care, survivorship, and psychosocial support so that patients receive care not just as a case but as a person, he added.
Cancer is no longer a rare disease in India. As the average age of Indians increases and their lifestyle changes, the number of cancer patients is steadily rising. Advances in medical science have led to the development of better tests and more effective treatments than ever before. However, for the common Indian, these are still only a dream. This is not because there are no solutions available, but because the health systems and policies in place are not able to provide these solutions in the areas that need them the most. Hence, it is vital to strengthen policies and transform healthcare systems to make cancer care in India affordable, accessible, and equitable, Dr Mehta told Pharmabiz in an email.
One of the most worrying factors is the delayed diagnosis. This is often attributed to a lack of awareness, inadequate screening programs, and the absence of diagnostic centres in the vicinity, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, he noted.
Another area that is grossly affected is the imbalance in resource distribution. The best cancer hospitals are in metros, while Tier II and Tier III hospitals lack adequate equipment and trained personnel. Adding to this, the cost of cancer care can be catastrophic. Even with insurance programs, many patients still incur significant out-of-pocket costs, sometimes even selling their assets or taking loans. There is also lack of a proper referral system, follow-through treatment, and health data making it difficult to ensure seamless cancer care, he pointed out.
To overcome these challenges, India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS) and Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY provides economic security to the economically vulnerable families, said Dr Mehta.
The scaling up of Health and Wellness Centres, telemedicine, and establishment of regional cancer centres have been instrumental in bringing care closer to the homes of patients. Simultaneously, policies that favour generic drugs, control drug prices, encourage domestic production which are instrumental in making treatment affordable.
These changes are slowly but surely making a difference. Insurance allows patients to seek surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Screening programs are detecting cancers such as breast, cervical, and oral cancers earlier. Tele-oncology programs have reduced the need for patients to travel long distances and wait for long hours. While there is still room for improvement, the trend is positive. Cancer care is as much about policy as it is about expertise. The changes that have taken place demonstrate people-centric policies can make a difference, Dr Mehta said. |