Fight Against Cancer Needs Social Empathy Beyond Medicines: Delhi CM Rekha Gupta

New Delhi, 4 February 2026 : On the occasion of World Cancer Day, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pratap Rao Jadhav and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in the ‘Jan Jan Jage, Cancer Bhage’ campaign at the NDMC Convention Centre. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that a serious illness like cancer affects not just the body, but also a person’s mental strength, self-confidence, and the financial stability of the entire family. She stressed that the fight against cancer must go beyond medical treatment and be driven by collective social support and human sensitivity.

The Chief Minister said that Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are steadily becoming the backbone of primary healthcare in Delhi. At present, around 350 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs are operational across the capital, offering free screening for oral, breast, and cervical cancer, along with medicines, vaccinations, and essential diagnostic services. The Ayushman Bharat scheme has provided health security to crores of citizens, with more than 43 crore people registered so far. In Delhi as well, lakhs of residents are receiving health coverage under the scheme. She also noted that over 16,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been set up across the country, where many medicines are available at prices up to 90 percent lower. These centres are being continuously expanded in Delhi to ensure affordable and quality medicines reach the common people.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the central government has allocated a budget of ₹10,000 crore for major central hospitals in Delhi, including AIIMS, Safdarjung, and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital. This investment will strengthen medical infrastructure, modern equipment, and facilities, helping ensure better, accessible, and dignified treatment for patients. She added that the Delhi government will continue to stand firmly with all institutions working in the fields of public service and healthcare.

Praising the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said the central government has taken historic steps in the health sector. In the recent Union Budget, prices of 17 essential cancer-related medicines have been reduced, bringing significant relief to patients in terms of treatment costs. At the same time, the health budget has been increased from ₹98,000 crore to ₹1.05 lakh crore. Approval has also been given to set up 200 day-care cancer centres across the country, while cancer institutes in 19 states are actively working on research, diagnostics, and new treatment options.

She further said that the number of AIIMS institutions in the country has increased from 7 to 23, and medical colleges have grown from 387 to 780. These efforts have led to a substantial improvement in the availability of specialist doctors and overall treatment capacity.