The new Union Budget has introduced some groundbreaking healthcare provisions specifically targeting cancer patients. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the creation of 200 day-care cancer centres across India, making treatment more accessible. Tax exemptions on lifesaving medicines and medical equipment will significantly reduce the financial strain on patients. These initiatives represent a major step forward in making cancer treatment more affordable and available to millions of Indians.
February 04, 2025
Budget's health provisions to reduce financial burden on cancer patients, boost care: Expert
"There is no need to be afraid of cancer.
Consult a doctor if symptoms appear." - Dr. Sudeep Gupta
Health
benefits announced in the Union Budget are expected to reduce the financial
burden as well as boost care for patients with cancer, according to an expert
on Monday.
Key Points
1 Cancer day-care centres to be established in all
district hospitals
2 Tax relief on 36 lifesaving medicines
3 Reduction in medical equipment costs
4 Improved accessibility to cancer treatment
The
Union Budget was tabled in the Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala
Sitharaman on February 1. She announced several measures such as 200 cancer
day-care centres and tax relief on about 36 lifesaving medicines including for
cancer, and on medical equipment.
Speaking
to IANS, Dr. Sudeep Gupta- Director of Tata Memorial Hospital said that
day-care centres provide chemotherapy -- an important part of cancer treatment
-- to patients.
"Many
patients have to travel 1,000s of kilometres to get this treatment, where they
have to be away from their house, which also affects their livelihood. It is a
good decision to establish daycare centres for cancer patients," Gupta
said.
The
Finance Minister announced that "all district hospitals will have day care
cancer centres. About 200-day care cancer centre will be established in
2025-26". The expert noted that these cancer daycare centres can
administer chemotherapy to patients suffering from breast and oral cancers.
Further,
Sitharaman also announced exemptions on basic customs duty on 36 lifesaving
drugs against cancer, rare diseases, and other severe chronic diseases.
Lauding
the decision, Gupta told IANS that cancer medicines are often expensive and
that the move will reduce the "financial burden on the patient".
On
Budget's exemptions on basic custom duties on some medical equipment, Gupta
said "It will reduce the capital cost of establishing both private and
public healthcare facilities. The money saved will definitely benefit the
patients".
Meanwhile,
ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, Gupta urged people to not be afraid of
cancer.
"My
message to the citizens is that there is no need to be afraid of cancer.
Consult a doctor if symptoms appear. If the cancer is in the first or second
stage, then there are more chances of recovery from it," the doctor said.
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