Jharkhand to Set up Oncology Departments in 5 Govt Medical Colleges

Ranchi: In a move to strengthen cancer care services, the Jharkhand Department of Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare has announced the establishment of oncology departments in five government medical colleges across the state. The initiative was unveiled by Health Secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh during a state-level cancer summit in Ranchi.

The new departments will be set up in Dhanbad, Jamshedpur, Hazaribag, Palamu, and Dumka, with Ranchi Sadar Hospital being developed into one of the largest government-run cancer treatment centres in the country.

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To further bridge the healthcare gap, the state government plans to engage private doctors in public healthcare delivery. Participating specialists will be paid honorariums ranging from ₹600 to ₹800 per OPD consultation and 13% to 35% of procedure charges for surgeries.

Singh emphasized that if private doctors contribute even one day a week in government hospitals, they will be duly recognized. Such collaboration is expected to enhance both accessibility and affordability of healthcare across the state. He highlighted that Jharkhand reports between 14,000 to 16,000 new cancer cases annually, with nearly 60% of them diagnosed at advanced stages — a delay that significantly complicates treatment and escalates costs.

Underscoring the importance of early screening, Singh noted that oral cancer accounts for 38% of all cancer cases in Jharkhand, while cervical and breast cancers together make up 16%.

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According to TOI, Dr. Satish Sharma, senior oncologist and summit coordinator, stated, "The State needs to make equal progress on awareness, clinical research, and equitable treatment. We must build an environment where rural patients receive the same level of care as their urban counterparts." Dr. Sanjeev Sharma, Director of Lung Connect India Foundation, "During a patient board survey, it was found that more than 80% of patients faced delays in receiving a proper diagnosis, with many initially misdiagnosed with diseases like tuberculosis. Around 50% of patients had experienced financial hardship due to expensive medication not being covered under insurance schemes."