Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh –
Marking World Cancer Day, Haryana Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Sumita Misra, said that Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) have started functioning from today at 22 District Civil Hospitals across the state, significantly strengthening decentralised cancer care and bringing essential services closer to patients’ homes. Earlier 5 such centres were operational in the 5 districts namely Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Yamunagar and Faridabad.
Dr. Misra stated that these centres are envisaged as decentralised cancer care facilities aimed at improving accessibility, affordability and continuity of cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes. By enabling delivery of these services at the district level, the initiative seeks to minimize the need for repeated referrals to tertiary care institutions for routine and follow-up interventions, she added.
Speaking about the newly operational Day Care Cancer Centres, Dr. Misra said these facilities will provide follow-up chemotherapy in HUB and Spoke model with NCI Jhajjar, PGIMS Rohtak, Sarvodaya Hospital Faridabad and ACCC Ambala Cantt acting as HUBs.
Dr. Misra said cancer has rapidly emerged as a major cause of mortality and disease burden in the country, affecting people across all age groups, genders and geographic regions. She noted that cancer impacts not only the economically productive population but also the growing elderly population, making early detection, timely treatment and long-term support critical public health priorities.
She highlighted that under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), the Health Department is intensifying awareness campaigns on cancer risk factors and healthy lifestyles to reduce disease burden. Observances such as World Cancer Day and National Cancer Awareness Day are used to sensitise citizens about healthy eating habits, regular physical activity, and the harmful effects of tobacco and alcohol consumption.
Dr. Misra said that screening for common cancers is being carried out at all Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, Sub-Divisional Hospitals and District Civil Hospitals across Haryana. Suspected cases are confirmed through facilities such as FNAC, Pap smear, fluid cytology and biopsy, which are available at multiple district-level hospitals.
She further informed that the Atal Cancer Care Centre (ACCC) at Civil Hospital, Ambala Cantt. is a unique, state-of-the-art facility providing comprehensive cancer care at the secondary level. The centre offers chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgical oncology services and is equipped with advanced technology including a Linear Accelerator, CT Simulator and Brachytherapy units. Between January and December 2025, more than 20,016 patients attended the OPD at ACCC, 2,743 patients received chemotherapy through 3,829 chemotherapy sessions, while 396 mammography tests, 237 brachytherapy procedures and 721 surgeries were successfully performed.
To reduce the financial burden on patients, Dr Misra said that free travel facility is being provided to cancer patients along with one attendant. Under this initiative, the number of Free Travel Facility cards issued has steadily increased from 7,617 in 2022–23 to 9,408 in 2023–24 and 10,102 in 2024–25, reflecting growing outreach and utilisation.
She also pointed out that the state government provides monthly financial assistance of Rs. 3,000 to Stage III and IV cancer patients whose annual family income is below Rs. 3 lakh. So far, 5,807 cancer patients have been covered under this pension scheme through the SEWA Department.
Speaking about the newly operational Day Care Cancer Centres, Dr. Misra said these facilities will provide follow-up chemotherapy, palliative care, symptom management, supportive care services and structured post-treatment follow-up in line with approved clinical protocols. She said the initiative, announced in the Budget speech of the Chief Minister, Sh. Nayab Singh Saini represents a major step towards accessible, patient-centric cancer care in Haryana.