With cancer cases on the rise in the country, the government plans to set up 49 cancer centres in the next three years. The centres will be in addition to 31 already functioning and upgraded since 2014-15, when the government floated the scheme.

The health ministry has drawn up a detailed project plan which will be reviewed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO). According to the proposal, the ministry has estimated a cost of around Rs 3,495 crore to implement the scheme over the next three years. The cancer centres will be set up in a phased manner under the existing National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke.

Apart from setting up cancer centres which include construction or upgrade of existing facilities like district hospitals, regional cancer centres and government medical colleges, the government’s programme will also provide support for high-end equipment and advanced technology for cancer treatment.

While the 49 new cancer centres will be initially set up under two categories, state cancer institutes and tertiary care cancer centres (TCCCs) in a phased manner, they will be responsible for building capacities of other institutions below for prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment.