Discussions highlighted key priorities for enhancing urban primary healthcare, including strengthening infrastructure, improving service delivery, reinforcing referral linkages, and deepening convergence between Urban Local Bodies and State Health Departments.
Photo: X/@MoHFW_INDIA
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised a two-day National Workshop on Strengthening Cancer Care and Urban Health on 27 and 28 November at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan here.
The workshop was inaugurated by Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary (Health and Family Welfare), and witnessed participation from Principal Secretaries, Mission Directors (NHM), senior officials, and State/UT Nodal Officers working in cancer control, NCDs, and urban health, the Ministry said on Saturday.
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Discussions highlighted key priorities for enhancing urban primary healthcare, including strengthening infrastructure, improving service delivery, reinforcing referral linkages, and deepening convergence between Urban Local Bodies and State Health Departments. States also shared best practices and innovative models for addressing urban health challenges.
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Delivering the keynote address, the Union Health Secretary reaffirmed the Government’s priority to strengthen cancer services nationwide.
She highlighted the Union Budget 2025–26 announcement to establish Day Care Cancer Centres (DCCCs) in every district to decentralise cancer treatment, reduce the burden on tertiary centres, and ensure timely chemotherapy and follow-up care.
Emphasising the creation of a robust continuum of cancer care from community-level screening to district-level treatment and advanced care, she noted that the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD) is central to expanding access and improving outcomes.
During the inaugural session, the Union Health Secretary released key policy documents, including the NP-NCD Training Modules, the FRU Guidelines 2025, and the Operational Guidelines for Strengthening Laboratory Services under the Free Diagnostics Initiative.
The workshop also featured detailed presentations on DCCC models, standard treatment workflows for common cancers, digital platforms for monitoring implementation, integration of viral hepatitis screening, and quality assurance mechanisms through NQAS.
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