India to Set Up 200+ Day Care Cancer Centres to Expand Rural Access to Oncology Care

In a landmark healthcare initiative aimed at decentralizing oncology services, the Government of India has announced the establishment of over 200 Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) across the country in FY 2025–26. The initiative is part of a broader three-year national cancer strategy, unveiled in the Union Budget, which seeks to bring accessible and affordable cancer treatment to every district.

These DCCCs are designed to relieve the burden on tertiary hospitals, provide early diagnosis, and offer basic chemotherapy and follow-up services closer to home—especially in high-incidence and underserved regions.

Targeting High-Burden Districts with Precision Planning

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the rollout is informed by cancer incidence data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). States and Union Territories submitted proposals based on local need and infrastructure readiness, while the National Programme Coordination Committee (NPCC) reviewed feasibility and approved the final list of locations.

Most centres will be located within existing district hospitals, where minimum infrastructure such as 4 to 6 oncology beds, equipment, and trained staff can be quickly deployed. In specific cases, other government-run medical facilities may also host DCCCs.

Budget & Funding: Cost-Efficient, Scalable Model

Each Day Care Cancer Centre will be set up at an estimated cost of ₹1.49 crore, with funding drawn from the National Health Mission (NHM) under the State Resource Envelope. The model allows for flexibility and speed, minimizing the capital burden on individual states.

The health ministry also confirmed a comprehensive infrastructure gap analysis of 750+ district hospitals is underway to inform future phases of expansion.

Bringing Cancer Care Closer to Rural India

These centres will offer core services including chemotherapy, oncology drug access, patient counselling, and awareness campaigns. The initiative is designed to cut travel time, reduce out-of-pocket expenses, and encourage early-stage cancer treatment—a critical factor in improving survival rates.

The DCCCs will also work in tandem with central institutions such as AIIMS, State Cancer Institutes, and Tertiary Cancer Care Centres, creating a tiered oncology ecosystem.

A Step Toward Equitable Health Access

This move aligns with the government’s long-standing goal of achieving universal health coverage under the Ayushman Bharat mission. Since 2018, more than 68 lakh cancer-related hospital admissions have been supported under Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY, with cumulative claims exceeding ₹13,000 crore.

Additional support measures include:

• Exemption of customs duty on 36 life-saving cancer drugs
• Discounted oncology medicines available at over 217 AMRIT pharmacies
• Cancer units sanctioned in all 22 new AIIMS institutions

Key Facts at a Glance