New Delhi. After the strict observations of the Supreme Court and the brainstorming of the Standing Committee of Parliament regarding the expensive medical treatments of cancer and the huge prices of life-saving medicines in the country, the Central Government has prepared to take decisive steps in this direction. The Central Government is now preparing a comprehensive and standard roadmap for primary screening of cancer, modern technology and accurate use of medicines.
The main objective of this policy is to decide which test, therapy and medicine are most effective and necessary for which cancer, so that patients can be saved from unnecessary expensive tests. The Health Ministry is updating the standard treatment protocols for each stage of cancer under the proposed roadmap. It has been observed that in the absence of precise guidelines, expensive medicines or tests are prescribed to the patients, which have limited effect.
By making fact-based treatment mandatory in the new system, it will be ensured that the treatment process in government and private hospitals is transparent, rational and affordable to the patient. Overall, there will be a review of the expenses incurred in preparing medicines, technology or machines and the cost of making them reach the common people.
Special investigation center in every district
The government's plan focuses on taking cancer screening to villages. Under this, primary screening techniques will be expanded at the district level, so that the total cost of treatment can be reduced by identifying the disease in its early stages. For this, special centers for cancer screening will be set up in the government hospital of every district. AI based techniques will be used to screen for breast, oral and cervical cancer. There is also a plan to increase the use of AI based tele-pathology and digital pathology in preparing investigation reports.
Estimating the cost of investigation and treatment
The cost-effectiveness of different tests and treatments will be assessed through Health Technology Assessment in India (HTAIN). Recently this was also discussed before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health. Cancer medicines will also be assessed on this basis. It will be seen which medicine is more useful in which type of cancer.