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ICS Urges Stronger Cancer Referral Network, Expanded Services to Rural Areas
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News18•20-09-2026, 21:45
ICS Urges Stronger Cancer Referral Network, Expanded Services to Rural Areas
- •The Indian Cancer Society (ICS) advocates for expanding cancer-care services to Tier 2, 3, and 4 cities and rural areas, with district hospitals playing a key role in screening, early diagnosis, and referral.
- •The call was made at ICS Delhi's Annual Seminar, emphasizing the need for a stronger referral mechanism to ensure early patient entry into the healthcare system.
- •Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu highlighted that early detection significantly improves affordability and accessibility of cancer care.
- •Experts discussed a hub-and-spoke model, where basic diagnostics and initial care are available closer to patients, with specialized centers providing advanced treatment.
- •Financial protection and transparency in the insurance and healthcare ecosystem were also stressed, as commuting and other non-treatment costs can account for a large portion of a family's expenditure.
Key Questions Answered
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, cancer treatment services are currently available in only about 5% of district hospitals across the country.
Geographic distance can impose a substantial financial burden, with approximately 60% of overall expenditures going toward commuting, food, and other related expenses while only about 40% covers the actual cost of treatment.
Experts suggested implementing a hub-and-spoke model where district-level facilities provide basic diagnostics and initial care and remain connected to specialised centres that offer advanced care and expertise.
