Cancer Crisis: Uttar Pradesh Tops the List
The trend of a steady rise in the number of cancer cases across India sustained itself in 2022 as well, with Uttar Pradesh topping with 2.10 lakh new cases — up from 2.01 lakh in 2020.
The information provided by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reveals a clear connection between cancer mortality rates and case numbers.
From the aggregated cases reported in India during 2022, a staggering 8,08,558 individuals passed away, translating to a mortality rate exceeding 55 per cent.
Here too, UP topped the list with 1,16,818 deaths.
The demise toll for UP was comparable to the country-wide average, with Maharashtra ranking second in terms of loss of life.
Health professionals emphasized that the information was obtained via the Indian Council of Medical Research Cancer Database to overcome cancer crisis.
Many specialists share the belief that the initial data was an underrepresentation of the actual pattern, given that only 15 states have cancer reporting requirements. And this list excludes Uttar Pradesh which accounts for maximum burden of both cases and deaths.
Federal officials drew attention to the measures put in place to grant cancer sufferers easy access to medical treatment and to overcome cancer crisis.
Government hospitals offer complimentary or significantly reduced medical care to those in need, with an added focus on cancer treatment via the Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY program.
The UP health department stressed the accessible and affordable generic medications offered via the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), with support from state governments.
Affordable Medicines and Reliable Implants for Treatment (AMRIT) pharmacy stores have been set up in some hospitals/institutions, with an objective to make available cancer drugs at a substantial discount vis-à-vis the maximum retail price.
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