Cancer is an important public health problem with 7 to 9 lakh cases occurring every year. At any point of time, it is estimated that there are nearly 25 lakh cases in the country. Four lakh deaths are estimated to occur every year due to cancer. Forty per cent of the cancers in the country are due to tobacco. Hence Tobacco related cancers are very common among males, namely, cancers of the lungs and oral cavity. Among women, cancer of uterine cervix and breast are common.

The National Cancer Control Programme was launched in 1975-76 with the objectives of primary prevention, early detection, treatment and rehabilitation. In order to cater to the changing needs of the disease the programme has undergone three revisions with the third revision in December 2004. Under the revised programme, the primary focus is on correcting the geographic imbalance in the availability of cancer care facilities across the country. The scope of the programme and the quantum of assistance under the various schemes have been increased.

There are 5 schemes under the Revised Programme -

1. Recognition of new Regional Cancer Centres (RCCs) by providing a onetime grant of Rs. 5.00 crore.
   
   
2. Strengthening of existing RCCs by providing a one-time grant of Rs. 3.00 crore.
   
   
3. Development of Oncology Wing by providing enhanced grant of Rs. 3.00 crore to the Government institutions (Medical Colleges as well as government hospitals).
   
   
4. District Cancer Control Programme by providing the grant-in-aid of Rs. 90.00 lakh spread over a period of 5 years.
   
   
5. Decentralised NGO Scheme by providing a grant of Rs. 8000 per camp to the NGOs for IEC activities.
   
   
• As of now, there are 25 Regional Cancer centres providing comprehensive cancer care services. There are 210 institutions possessing radiotherapy installations.
  
  
• A National Strategic Task Force has been constituted to formulate strategy for the National Cancer Control Programme for the Eleventh Five- Year Plan.
  
  
• Training : In order to increase the capacity of the health staff at all levels of health care, training manuals have been developed in cancer control, tobacco cessation, cytology and palliative care.
  
  
• Onconet-India : C-DAC Trivandrum has been entrusted with the responsibility of preparing the DPR for Operationalisation of Onconet India. Under the project all 25 RCCs will be linked with each other and also each RCC would in turn be linked to 5 peripheral centres.
  
  
• Membership of IARC : India has become a member of the international Agency for Research in Cancer that shall provide a fillip to cancer research in the country.
  
  
• National Cancer Awareness Day : Meetings with NGOs are being held to discuss preparations for the National Cancer Awareness Day 2006.

Emergency Medical Relief

India with a wide range of topographic and climatic conditions has witnessed various types of natural disasters. During 2006, heavy rains and severe floods occurred in the States of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Chhatisgarh and Kerala. The Emergency Medical Relief Division (EMR) of the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Govt. of India coordinates health relief activities in terms of manpower and material logistics support to the states.

EMR coordinated deputation of Central Health Teams to flood affected States of Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was represented in the central damage assessment teams of the Ministry of Home Affairs which visited flood affected states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Chhatisgarh.

Rajasthan experienced an unprecedented rainfall during August, 2006 affecting 12 districts, 2469 villages affecting 70.27 lakh population. EMR division coordinated the health sector relief activities mobilizing and deploying 70 doctors to assist the State health authorities. This division also facilitated supply of drugs and disposables. The situation was monitored on day to day basis for medical care of the affected population and for instituting public health measures to prevent water-borne and vector borne diseases.

The EMR division coordinated outbreak investigations for chikungunya reported in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. Teams were also deputed to investigate suspected encephalitis outbreak in Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Kushi Nagar of Uttar Pradesh and Haldwani district of Uttaranchal. The concerned state governments were advised on preventive and curative measures. The dengue situation in Delhi was continuously monitored.

Outbreaks of Avian Flu among poultry were notified in Nundurbar and Jalgaon districts of Maharasthra, Surat District of Gujarat and Burhanpur district of Madhya Pradesh in February-April, 2006. The contingency plan prepared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare were put into operation immediately. The action taken included surveillance of 10 lakh population by the central and state teams, identifying and strengthening hospitals near the operational area, isolation and observation of suspected persons, ensuring adequate quantity of Oseltamivir and personal protective equipments, monitoring health status of personnel from health and animal husbandry departments, providing laboratory support, creating awareness among the public through mass media and health teams in the field. In MOHFW, The EMR division coordinated and monitored all activities including those at field level during the outbreak. Due to the concerted efforts of all concerned no human case of avian influenza has been reported.