New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- Delhi Lieutenant Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Sunday said affordability and innovation in cancer care must go hand in hand, stressing that medical advances have little value if they remain inaccessible to patients.
Addressing the annual seminar of the Indian Cancer Society on "Bridging Innovation and Affordability in Cancer Care", Sandhu said cancer treatment had changed significantly with improved diagnostic tools, targeted therapies, advanced surgical techniques and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
Speaking in the presence of Indian Cancer Society Chairperson (Delhi) Jyotsna Govil, Padma Shri Geeta Chandran and other dignitaries, Sandhu said medical progress should be measured not only by what is possible in hospitals and laboratories, but also by who can access it. A cancer diagnosis, he said, brings emotional stress, uncertainty and a significant financial burden for patients and their families.
Quoting PM Narendra Modi's call for healthcare to be "accessible, available and affordable to all", Sandhu said affordability could not be separated from innovation.
He identified early detection as one of the most effective ways to make cancer care more affordable and called for greater screening and awareness, particularly for breast, cervical and oral cancers.
He also stressed the need for better awareness of warning signs and referral systems to help patients enter the healthcare system at an earlier stage.
Sandhu said Delhi's leading medical institutions provide a strong foundation, but stronger links were needed between communities, primary healthcare, diagnostic services and specialised hospitals to ensure expertise reaches all parts of the Capital.
He said India had an opportunity to develop healthcare solutions that are advanced, affordable and suited to its needs, with universities, hospitals, start-ups, researchers and medical technology companies working on diagnostics, imaging, telemedicine and AI-assisted healthcare. Sandhu highlighted Cancer Sahyog's 35-year support for patients through counselling, guidance and financial assistance, noting many volunteers were survivors or caregivers.
He said cancer care discussions should cover prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, financial protection and emotional support for people in Delhi and across India.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.