DGHS Calls Childhood Cancer a Priority Area Under National Healthcare Mission
The Union Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening childhood cancer care in India, with a renewed focus on early detection, financial assistance, and long-term survivor support. Speaking at a workshop organised by the Indian Childhood Cancer Initiative (ICCI), L. Swasticharan, Deputy Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said the Centre is working towards removing barriers that affect survival outcomes among children diagnosed with cancer.
Addressing stakeholders during discussions on a roadmap for a National Childhood Cancer Programme, Swasticharan described childhood cancer as a “low-hanging fruit” in terms of healthcare interventions that can significantly improve survival rates through timely action and support systems.
Early Detection and Financial Support Key Focus Areas
According to Swasticharan, the existing Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) programme already includes a cancer care component, and the government’s immediate priority is ensuring that childhood cancer cases are detected at an early stage.
He highlighted the importance of providing adequate financial support and uninterrupted medical treatment for affected children through schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY).
The DGHS official also suggested that successful healthcare models implemented in states like Kerala and Tamil Nadu could be replicated nationwide. These models involve self-help groups and community-based support systems to improve treatment access and patient care.
Government Plans Survivor Support Beyond Treatment
Swasticharan stressed that healthcare efforts should not stop after a child survives cancer. He underlined the need for post-treatment rehabilitation and long-term survivor assistance.
He said survivor support programmes should involve community participation and multi-stakeholder collaborations to help children reintegrate into society and lead healthier lives after treatment.
Childhood Cancer Registry Under Discussion With ICMR
The government is also considering the establishment of a dedicated childhood cancer registry in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Swasticharan said discussions are underway to declare childhood cancer a notifiable disease to ensure that no patient goes unrecorded or untreated. The move is expected to strengthen tracking, policy planning, and healthcare delivery mechanisms across the country.
WHO Highlights Economic and Social Benefits of Childhood Cancer Care
Bishnu Giri, Technical Officer for Cancer Control at the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region, emphasised that investments in childhood cancer care generate significant economic and social returns.
He stated that every dollar spent on childhood cancer treatment can generate nearly three dollars in return, particularly in developing nations where improved survival rates contribute to long-term societal and economic benefits.
Giri also called for sustainable financing mechanisms and flexible funding sources to improve cancer care infrastructure and outcomes for children.
ICCI Seeks National Programme and Global Collaboration
Ramandeep Arora, governing council member of the ICCI, said India already has the required clinical infrastructure and medical expertise for treating childhood cancer effectively.
He added that what the country now needs is stronger government support to expand services at the grassroots level. Arora also advocated for a formal partnership with the WHO through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to bring global best practices and advanced technologies into India’s childhood cancer care ecosystem.
