Early Detection, Better Lives
Launched in 2011, the Mukhya Mantri Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh Scheme was designed to provide financial aid to cancer patients who cannot afford treatment. However, the scheme continues to face significant limitations, making it inadequate for many in need of cancer care. One of the main issues is that the scheme’s financial support of Rs 1.50 lakh has remained unchanged since its inception in 2011, despite the rising costs of medical treatments and inflation.
The scheme, intended to alleviate the burden of cancer treatment, has a number of drawbacks. The Rs 1.50 lakh amount is often insufficient, especially for certain types of cancer treatments that require higher costs. Additionally, the scheme can only be availed once in a lifetime, with no provision for patients whose cancer reoccurs or requires further treatment after the initial amount has been used. If the treatment costs exceed the sanctioned amount, no additional funds are provided.
In Ludhiana, 156 patients benefited from the scheme in 2024, receiving Rs 1.5 lakh each. The funds were directly transferred to hospitals including Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Christian Medical College and Hospital, and Mohandai Oswal Cancer Hospital. Among the most common cancers seen in women were breast and cervical cancers, while men were most often diagnosed with oral and lung cancers.
Dr Ramneek Dhaliwal, head of the district cancer cell, explained that the scheme provided a total of Rs 2.26 crore in 2024. “The scheme allows patients to avail the Rs 1.5 lakh only once during their lifetime. If any amount remains unused, they can use it later for cancer treatment. However, there’s no provision to avail the scheme again if the cancer relapses,” she said.
Despite the scheme’s initial intent to ease the financial burden, it has failed to keep pace with inflation and the increasing costs of medical treatment. An oncologist from a private hospital pointed out that the cost of cancer treatment can vary significantly depending on the type and stage of cancer, and in many cases, the amount provided under the scheme is insufficient.
One patient, diagnosed with bladder cancer, expressed frustration after the cancer resurfaced. “I availed the scheme for my initial treatment, but now that the cancer has returned, I am unable to get additional funds. I’ve been left with no options, as I can’t afford the treatment,” he said.
Another patient echoed similar concerns, saying that the Rs 1.50 lakh was only a fraction of the actual treatment costs. “After the amount was exhausted, the hospital asked me to arrange additional funds. Instead of limiting the aid, the government should either make treatment fully free or at least increase the funding under the scheme,” the patient added.
Despite its good intentions, the Punjab Cancer Rahat Kosh Scheme has become increasingly inadequate, with patients calling for an increase in funding or a re-evaluation of the scheme to better meet the needs of those fighting cancer.