Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 12 said changing lifestyles were "adding to" the burden of non-communicable diseases and highlighted the Centre's efforts in providing healthcare to people.
 

"According to some estimates, non-communicable diseases now account for about 60 per cent of the total deaths in our country," he said. The Centre has planned setting up of 20 state cancer institutes and 50 tertiary care cancer centres in different parts of the country, he said. The Prime Minister was speaking after inaugurating the 'Diamond Jubilee Building' and other facilities at the city-based Cancer Institute. Proposals can be approved for eligible institions upto Rs 45 crore for seting up a tertiary care cancer centre and upto Rs 120 crore for setting up of state cancer institute, he said.

"I am happy to note that proposal for setting up of 15 cancer institutes and 20 tertiary care centres have been approved so far," Modi added. He said 14 new AIIMS were being set up with focus on oncology in its various aspects under the Pradhan Mantri Swasth Suraksha Yojana. The national health policy of 2017 underlines the importance of preventive health care, Modi said. Eight existing institutions were being upgraded with provision of oncology services, he added.

"Under the comprehensive primary health care Ayushman Bharat we will provide preventive and curative services at primary level for people near their homes," he said. "We have initiated population based prevention control screening and management of common non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and common cancer," Modi said.

Ayushman Bharat also includes the Pradhan Mantri National Health Protection Mission which will cover over 10 crore families. About 50 crore people would be benefited through this mission, the Prime Minister said. Insurance coverage of upto Rs five lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation would be provdied under this mission, he said. "This will be the world's largest government funded health care programe," he said.

`People would be able to get benefits in both public and empanelled private facilites. The scheme intends to reduce out of pocket expenditure on health, Modi said. He sought participation of all sections of society including NGOs and private sector to prevent diseases like cancer. Modi lauded the Cancer Institute, saying it was the first speciality facility in South India and second in the country. "The Cancer Institute is one of the oldest and signicant comprehensive cancer care centres in India," he said.

On the difficulties mentioned by the chairperson of the Institute Dr V Shantha, he said it would be looked into and also requested Chief Minsiter K Palaniswami to see what can be done. Recalling that the institute was started by the late Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy, Palaniswami pointed out that it has today grown to be a large centre due to Shantha's efforts. The 'Diamond Jubilee building is an initiative supported by the Centre and the state government. It comprises additional out-patient services, nuclear medicine facilities, ICU beds, post-operative wards and operation theatres.