A recent Lancet study has unveiled a significant improvement in the timely initiation of cancer treatment in India, particularly for patients covered under the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
The study, which analyzed data from 6,700 cancer patients, highlights that since the scheme’s inception in 2018, timely treatment initiation within 30 days has risen by 90% for enrolled patients, up from a 36% increase in the broader population.
Key Findings for the Medical Community:
•Accelerated Access: AB-PMJAY has markedly enhanced access to cancer care. This development is a promising stride in mitigating treatment delays and alleviating the financial burden on patients. This development is a promising stride in mitigating treatment delays and alleviating the financial burden on patients.
Union Health Minister JP Nadda underscored the scheme’s impact on World Cancer Day: "Patients enrolled under AB-PMJAY saw a 90% rise in access to cancer treatment within 30 days. Delays reduced and financial burden eased—a game-changer for India’s healthcare."
- Infrastructure Challenges: Despite these gains, the study underscores a critical gap in cancer care infrastructure. Radiotherapy experienced the longest delays compared to chemotherapy and surgery. With only 779 radiotherapy machines currently available in India, far below the WHO-recommended ratio of 1 machine per 10 lakh population and the higher benchmarks observed in high-income countries, the need for expanded radiotherapy facilities is pressing.
- Disparities in Treatment Initiation: Analysis revealed that younger, more educated, and insured patients were more likely to begin treatment on time. For instance, 77% of patients under 30 initiated treatment promptly compared to 23% of older patients, while 70.2% of educated patients met the 30-day benchmark versus 29.8% facing delays.
- Call to Action: The study advocates for strengthening public healthcare infrastructure by expanding radiotherapy services and incorporating affordable chemotherapeutic agents into the AB-PMJAY framework, aiming to bridge the urban-rural divide in cancer care.
-Cancer-Type Variations: Greatest improvements were seen in reproductive, genitourinary, breast, and blood cancers. However, patients with 'unknown cancer stages' experienced prolonged delays due to diagnostic gaps and inadequate facilities.
