Ayushman Bharat scheme plays a big role in fighting cancer in India, expensive treatment reaches the poor

Cancer Treatment In India: The latest Lancet report on Regional Health has revealed that there has been an increase in timely treatment of cancer in India under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY). According to the report, this scheme has promoted access to health services for the poor and weaker sections. The report also highlights the impact that delays in treatment (Time to Initiation – TTI) have on patients’ health and outcomes.

According to this report, research has been done to find out where and how much benefits the beneficiaries have received under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. Analyzed data collected from 6,695 cancer patients admitted to seven health facilities in six states. Data on socio-demographic and clinical characteristics including date of cancer diagnosis, date of initiation of treatment, cancer site, stage and type of treatment were collected to determine the median TTI and explore its determinants among cancer patients in India. For.

Delay in treatment in cancer patients is directly related to advanced stage, poor response to treatment, increased risk of mortality, poor health outcomes and increased healthcare expenditure. However, the factors associated with these delays have not yet been rigorously evaluated. To understand this gap, the research analyzed delay in treatment initiation (TTI) among cancer patients in India, explored its determinants and assessed trends in delayed TTI.

Research result

TTI was calculated as the period (days) between the date of diagnosis of cancer (histological/clinic) and the date of initiation of treatment. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between mean TTI and each explanatory variable. The Cox Proportional Hazard (CPH) model was used to conduct time-to-incidence analysis and estimate the effect of government-funded health insurance on time-to-cancer treatment initiation.

The median (IQR) of total TTI was 20 (7–39) days, with a mean of 53.7 days (SD, 192.9). The TTI was higher for those with head and neck cancer (median TTI: 29 days, IQR: 10.5–55.5) and those who received radiotherapy as initial treatment (27.5 days, IQR: 10–49.5). Younger patients, those with graduate level education and men were less likely to have a delayed TTI. Patients who were diagnosed between 1995 and 2017 were 36% (26-46%) more likely to have timely initiation of treatment within 30 days compared to those who were diagnosed after 2018.

People benefit from delay in treatment and schemes

The study notes that Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) has played an important role in ensuring timely access to cancer treatment and reducing the challenges associated with treatment delays. The study has highlighted the positive impact of the scheme, as well as the need for its expansion and improvement. The study recommends expanding AB PMJAY cancer packages to include cost-effective treatments, increasing population coverage under screening programs and implementing e-Rupee to reduce financial barriers associated with diagnostic services. Can be promoted.

Undiagnosed delays in time to cancer treatment initiation (TTI) may lead to further cancer disease progression, which is associated with poor health outcomes and increased complications. Furthermore, in addition to poor health outcomes, delayed TTI may lead to increased healthcare expenditures for treatment of advanced disease and its complications. To overcome barriers to access to timely cancer treatment, India has launched Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PMJAY), a government-funded health insurance program for the poor population. More than a quarter of the total medical procedures covered in the health benefit package of PM-JAY are oncology treatments.

Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Scheme

This is the world’s largest government health scheme. Provides free treatment up to ₹ 5 lakh per family per year. Provides financial security to the poor and vulnerable sections for the treatment of serious and expensive diseases like cancer. Free treatment facilities are available in the hospitals included under the scheme. Due to the high cost of cancer treatment, poor families were often deprived of treatment. PM-JAY ended this economic hurdle for poor families. People living in rural and remote areas can also access authorized hospitals for high-quality treatment.