In a major public health initiative, the Government of India has approved the establishment of over 200 Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) across the country for the Financial Year 2025–26. The move aligns with the announcement made in the Union Budget 2025–26, which proposed setting up DCCCs in all district hospitals within the next three years.
Strategic Planning Based on Cancer Burden
The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare identified priority areas by conducting a national gap analysis using Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) cancer registry data. It prioritized high-burden districts and prepared the final list of DCCCs in consultation with States and Union Territories. The National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) reviewed the state proposals to ensure optimal resource utilization and prevent duplication.
Flexible Establishment Model for DCCCs
The government primarily plans to set up DCCCs in district hospitals but may also establish them in other government health facilities, depending on feasibility, space availability, and logistical factors. It has capped the unit cost for setting up a DCCC at ₹1.49 crore. The State Resource Envelope (RE) under the National Health Mission (NHM) will provide the funding, with cost-sharing proportions defined by NHM norms.
Extensive State-Wise Approvals Announced
As per the annexure shared in Parliament, several states have received approval for multiple centres:
- Uttar Pradesh tops the list with over 70 approved centres, covering districts such as Moradabad, Bareilly, Saharanpur, and Ghaziabad.
- Telangana has over 30 DCCCs approved in districts including Rangareddi, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, and Adilabad.
- Maharashtra, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh each have 20+ districts sanctioned for DCCC setup.
- Northeastern states such as Meghalaya, Assam, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram are also included to improve access in underserved areas.
- Union Territories like Delhi, Puducherry, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands will each get dedicated cancer care facilities.
Parliamentary Update on DCCC Expansion
As reported by pib.gov.in, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Shri Prataprao Jadhav, confirmed the developments. He shared the information in a written reply to the Lok Sabha. He highlighted that this effort marks a significant step towards strengthening oncology services at the grassroots level. It also aims to ensure timely cancer detection and treatment closer to patients’ homes.
With this nationwide initiative, the government aims to decentralize cancer centres and reduce the burden on tertiary hospitals. It also seeks to improve outcomes through early intervention.