Centre sanctions 14 new day-care cancer centres for Andhra Pradesh; ₹2.4 crore per centre

Cancer remains one of India's leading causes of mortality, with over 14 lakh new cases annually. Day-care centres provide chemotherapy, radiotherapy follow-up, and supportive care without requiring overnight admission, reducing patient burden and hospital congestion. This model has proven cost-effective while improving accessibility for rural and semi-urban populations. Andhra Pradesh's selection reflects its demographic needs and healthcare infrastructure gaps identified in national cancer registries.

The 14 centres will be distributed across high-disease-burden districts in Andhra Pradesh. The funding structure indicates ₹33.6 crore in capital investment and ₹20.86 crore in annual recurring expenses. These centres will complement existing tertiary cancer institutes and provide diagnostic capabilities including imaging, pathology, and basic oncology services. State government will provide land and supporting staff.

For UPSC preparation, this demonstrates: national health policy implementation, public health infrastructure development, and disease-specific programme design. Questions may focus on India's cancer burden, treatment gaps, healthcare financing models, and policy responses. This connects to Health Minister portfolios, National Health Mission, and state-centre collaborative healthcare delivery. Expect questions on inequalities in cancer care access and how day-care models address healthcare accessibility in India.