New Delhi: Concerned over the growing incidence of cancer, Government plans to go in for a scheme under which 100 patients in each district would be provided
Rs one lakh for treatment, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said that at present the scheme was being run on a pilot basis in 100 districts in 21 states and it would be extended to all districts in a year or
two.
Responding to Jai Prakash Agarwal (Cong) during the Zero Hour, the Minister said the way incidence of cancer and diabetes was increasing, the country will soon be having the
largest number of persons suffering from the diseases.
Agarwal wanted that the funds available to MPs under MPLADS should be allowed to be made available to institutes like AIIMS and Tata Hospital for the treatment of cancer
patients.
He said such help was needed as families of cancer patients become bankrupt while providing the costly medical services. He was supported by Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) and Sanjiv Naik (NCP).
The Minister said that government would bear all the cost of treatment of cancer patients who live below poverty line and have BPL cards.
PTI
