New Delhi (Agency): A significant recommendation has been made by a parliamentary committee in India to raise taxes on tobacco products. The committee believes that increasing the market price of these products will make them less affordable, leading to lower consumption. This decrease will then reduce the risk of tobacco-related diseases like cancer.
The Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare detailed these recommendations in its 147th report, presented in Rajya Sabha last Friday.
Besides the increase in tobacco taxes, the committee emphasized the need for accurate information about the types and occurrence of cancers across the country. The health ministry was urged to persuade state governments to join in the creation of a cancer atlas. This would allow the entire Indian population to be covered under Population Based Cancer Registries (PBCRs), helping in “data-driven and evidence-based policy formulation.”
The report also suggested that PBCRs could be linked to the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to gather real-time information on cancer-related illnesses. It stressed that currently, PBCRs cover only “16 per cent of the Indian population,” and thus, there’s a need for the National Cancer Registry Programme to cover the population extensively.
One innovative idea from the committee was to fix one day in a month for cancer screening, emphasizing a robust screening mechanism.
They appreciated the government’s efforts in cancer care but urged that cancer must be treated separately from other non-communicable diseases. The recommendation to separate the National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) from the broader National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) was made to improve the focus on screening, diagnosis, and cancer management.
The committee also pushed for the prompt establishment of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) clinics in leftover districts and the training of more healthcare professionals for cancer screening.
Recognizing the importance of human resources in cancer centers, the committee proposed setting up free or subsidized accommodation for patients and their families near cancer hospitals. They also urged the National Health Authority (NHA) to include all types of cancer diagnostic tests under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
A recommendation was made to strengthen the e-Sanjivini Ayushman Bharat-Health Wellness Centre (AB-HWC), where doctor-to-doctor telemedicine services can reach isolated and backward areas.
An essential part of the report addressed the cost of cancer drugs. The committee stressed that pricing should not be guided by profit and called for negotiations with pharmaceutical companies for discounts. If reducing profit margins isn’t possible, government subsidies were suggested.
The committee also expressed concern over the annual price hike limit for cancer drugs, suggesting a reduction from 10 to five per cent to help poor patients.
Lastly, the report called for the healthcare cost for cancer patients to be subsidized and for radiotherapy service to be declared an essential commodity. This move would provide relief from the high cost of this vital service.
These comprehensive recommendations from the parliamentary committee represent a significant step towards addressing cancer care in India. By targeting the accessibility and affordability of both prevention and treatment, these measures could greatly impact the nation’s fight against this devastating disease. The focus on higher tobacco taxes, in particular, sends a strong message about the commitment to public health and the determination to reduce cancer risks at their source.
