Report Finds Cancer Screening At Ayushman Centres Not Utilised To Its Potential

The government had envisioned a holistic approach while flagging off the Ayushman Bharat Scheme which promises 5-lakh insurance cover at primary healthcare centres the Ayushman Health and Wellness Centres (HWCs). Apart from the range of services these centres offer, annual screening for cancer was also on the cards. But a survey found that there were fewer takers for this service. The HWCs offered health screening for non-communicable diseases for those 30 years and above for conditions such as hypertension, diabetes and three of the most common cancers in India – oral, breast and cervical.

For the past six years post the launch, the Ayushman Bharat Insurance Scheme has been availed by more than 5.47 crore users across the country – making it the world’s largest medical insurance scheme. However, according to a report prepared by NITI Aayog the apex public policy think tank of the Government of India, there is a huge gap when it comes to availing the free cancer screening facilities at these centres.

This report was prepared by a 3 member team of NITI Aayog in June last year, however, the findings have not yet been made public. A total of 93 centres across 37 districts in 12 states and 1 union territory were visited over 4 months to track the functioning of the HWCs. NITI Aayog will be conducting a fresh evaluation in March this year again. The annual screenings done for cancers are too low. This gap in screening can lead to a dip in the government’s focus on the prevention of cancers if they go undetected.