Mumbai, India: In a significant move to improve healthcare accessibility, the Maharashtra government has announced plans to provide free chemotherapy treatment to cancer patients at six district hospitals across the state. The initiative aims to ensure that citizens have access to quality cancer care closer to their homes.
The Public Health Department will establish radiation oncology centers in four district hospitals and radiotherapy and day care chemotherapy centers in two district referral service hospitals. This expansion will alleviate the burden on major city hospitals like Mumbai and Pune, which often face overwhelming demand for cancer treatment. Radiation oncology centers will be set up in Jalna, Ratnagiri, Baramati, and Dharashiv, while radiotherapy and day care chemotherapy centers will be established in Amravati and Nashik. The construction of these cancer treatment centers will be undertaken by the Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation Limited (HSCC Limited) in partnership with the public sector.
The government’s plans extend beyond the initial six districts, with future expansion to Nagpur, Gadchiroli, Wardha, Satara, Jalgaon, Bhandara, and Akola. The initiative comes in response to the alarming rise in cancer cases in Maharashtra, which reported the second-highest number of new cases in India in 2023. This expansion of free cancer treatment facilities is a crucial step towards improving healthcare access in Maharashtra. By providing affordable and accessible care, the government aims to reduce the financial burden on cancer patients and their families while ensuring timely and effective treatment.
