Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh:
CM Nayab Singh Saini fulfils Budget promise; accessible, affordable cancer treatment reaches patients’ doorsteps
Chandigarh: Delivering on a key Budget announcement for 2025–26, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini virtually inaugurated Day-Care Cancer Centres (DCCC) in 17 districts from the Civil Secretariat on Tuesday, taking the total number of operational centres across the state to 22. Five centres had already been launched earlier, and with this expansion, cancer care services have now been decentralised to nearly every corner of Haryana.
Calling the initiative a transformative step in public health, the Chief Minister said the objective is to provide accessible and affordable cancer treatment closer to patients’ homes. Health and Family Welfare Minister Arti Singh Rao joined the ceremony via videoconferencing and lauded the Health Department and medical teams for swiftly operationalising the centres.
Highlighting the growing cancer burden, CM Saini said the state is strengthening prevention, screening and treatment under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD). Regular screening for oral, breast and cervical cancer is being conducted for individuals aged 30 years and above.
The newly launched centres will offer chemotherapy, follow-up care, palliative and supportive services, and symptom management within district hospitals. Dedicated Cancer OPDs, Pain and Palliative Care OPDs and structured post-treatment follow-up services will be provided free of cost. The centres will function under a ‘Hub and Spoke’ model, with PGIMS Rohtak, National Cancer Institute Jhajjar, Sarvodaya Hospital Faridabad and Atal Cancer Care Centre, Ambala Cantt serving as expert hubs.
The CM noted that district-level treatment could save patients up to ₹3.3 lakh on travel, accommodation and related expenses, while also reducing the burden on major hospitals. Social support measures include free Haryana Roadways travel for patients and one attendant, and ₹3,000 monthly financial assistance for eligible Stage III and IV cancer patients under the SEWA scheme.
Senior officials including Chief Principal Secretary Rajesh Khullar and ACS Health Dr. Sumita Misra were present at the event.