Odisha Govt Steps Up Cancer Care With Rs 311 Cr Allocation, 35,000+ Chemo Cycles Delivered
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has allocated Rs 311 crore for strengthening cancer care services in the state, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said while addressing the FICCI 'OncoPharma 2026' Roundtable in Bhubaneswar.
The minister stated the state government has been taking several measures to expand cancer treatment facilities and improve access to care. Daycare chemotherapy centres have been established across all 32 districts of Odisha, and these centres have so far administered more than 35,000 chemotherapy cycles. He also stated that 91 specialised cancer care packages have been integrated under state health schemes to help reduce the financial burden on patients and their families.
Highlighting the government’s focus on cancer prevention and early detection, Mahaling said Odisha is participating in the national HPV vaccination drive for young girls. He also highlighted the Sustha Nari, Sasakta Parivar initiative, under which more than 1.5 crore women have been screened for breast, cervical and oral cancers.
The Health Minister called for greater participation from the private sector, industrial houses and technology startups in strengthening cancer screening and diagnostic services. He urged stakeholders to take advanced screening and diagnostic facilities to rural and remote communities so that people living in underserved areas can access timely cancer detection.
Mahaling also appealed to major corporations operating in Odisha to utilise their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds to adopt districts and deploy mobile cancer screening vans, which could help expand screening services and reach communities that have limited access to specialised healthcare facilities.
Speaking at the roundtable, FICCI Odisha State Council chairman Jagannath P Nayak stressed that equitable access, sustainable financing and early detection are essential to reducing the financial, emotional and social burden of cancer on families. He also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration among the government, healthcare professionals, industry and patient advocacy groups to address challenges in cancer care.
DMET Dr Durga Madhab Satpathy and Drug Controller Mamina Patnaik also addressed the gathering, reports The New Indian Express.
