A recent study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) of the country’s top medical panel showed that people living near river drains face high risk of cancer.

The study published in the Indian Academy of Sciences found that the danger quotes in these areas were higher than safe boundaries, causing serious health concerns.

Crossing the permissible boundaries set by the Central Pollution Control Board, high levels of lead, iron and aluminum in water were detected, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pratapro Jadhav said this in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on 11 March.

The written statement has also revealed that to improve the treatment of cancer, the central government is strengthening health facilities.

Under strengthening the scheme of tertiary care cancer features, 19 State Cancer Institute (SCIS) and 20 tertiary care cancer centers (TCCS) have been approved to provide advanced clinical and treatment services.

Jhajjar, National Cancer Institute in Haryana and Chitranjan National Cancer Institute in Kolkata have also been established to increase care.

In addition, cancer treatment centers offering medical, surgical and radiation oncology services will be dedicated to all 22 new MIM hospitals.

Treatments for these services are either free or highly subsidized for underprivileged patients.

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantra Mantra Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-J) provides financial assistance for the treatment of cancer, which covers up to Rs 5 lakh per family per family for secondary and tertiary care.

According to government data, the scheme benefits 55 crore people (12.37 crore families) from economically weaker sections. Recently, the plan was expanded to include all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.

The PM-J includes more than 500 procedures related to the treatment of cancer.

More than 15,000 Jashndhi Kendras have been installed to provide generic medicines at low prices. About 87 cancer related medicines are available under this scheme.

Under the reliable transplant (AMRIT) scheme for inexpensive drugs and treatment, 222 amrit pharmacies and center areas in 29 states provide medicines at a discount of up to 50%.

The government is also working on preventing cancer through initial diagnosis and awareness programs under the National Program for prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NP-NCD).

So far, 770 district NCD clinics and 6,410 NCD clinics have been set up in community health centers.