The Union Health Ministry said that the primary responsibility for implementation of health schemes lies with states.

Replying to a question on the availability of cancer care in the Parliament, its fund and research, Dr Pravin Bharati Pawar, Minister of State for Health, said that the primary responsibility for implementation of health schemes in the country lies with the states.

About cancer care, the minister added that the Union Health Ministry is implementing ‘Strengthening of Tertiary Cancer Care Centre Facilities’ Scheme in order to enhance the facilities for tertiary care of cancer.

“There are 19 State Cancer Institutes (SCIs) and 20 Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCCs) approved under this scheme. All these institutes focus also on cancer research. There is also focus on Oncology in its various aspects in case of All India Institutes of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi and new AIIMS under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY),” she added.

“Department of Health Research / Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), with an objective to further health research in the country, carry out medical research on various health related subjects which includes research on cancer through its annual budgetary support,” Dr Pawar said.

She further added that the Union Health Ministry through its centrally sponsored schemes is providing additional budgetary support to supplement the efforts of the States/UTs for implementation of various health activities including activities under National Programme for Tobacco Control and Drug de-addiction Treatment (NPTCDAT).