At the 23rd Cancer Survivors’ Day event in Jaipur, Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan painted a picture of hope amid India’s cancer challenge. Speaking at Bhagwan Mahavir Cancer Hospital, he described the day as a festival of indomitable spirit, honoring those who have conquered the disease.
He extended gratitude to the hospital and KG Kothari Memorial Trust for their pioneering work since 1997, transforming lives with empathetic oncology services that resonate nationwide.
With cancer cases surging past 1.5 million yearly per ICMR data, the Vice President outlined government strides under PM Modi. Central to this is Ayushman Bharat, providing Rs 13,000 crore+ in treatments to 6.8 million patients, predominantly rural beneficiaries filling urban-rural healthcare divides.
Infrastructure expansions include 450+ Day Care Cancer Centres in districts, alongside NHM programs like Arogya Mandirs for screenings and essential drug inclusions for cancer therapy.
Prevention took center stage with the HPV vaccination campaign targeting a crore girls against cervical cancer, backed robustly by federal and state efforts in Rajasthan.
Advocating institutional synergy, he pushed for technology and knowledge sharing across facilities to democratize advanced care and optimize outcomes in the national cancer war.
Lifestyle risks—smoking, tobacco, narcotics, junk food—demand perpetual vigilance, he noted, as behavioral shifts slash incidence rates.
Survivors, he declared, are beacons of perseverance, their journeys motivating others, while he saluted medical teams’ unwavering commitment. The hospital’s community initiatives, from mobile clinics to awareness drives, have proven pivotal in timely interventions.
In a call to arms, he rallied for unified pushes in education, detection, and solidarity, ensuring no one battles alone. Honoring survivors, the event drew key figures including the Governor and Health Minister, reinforcing a message of collective victory over cancer.
