Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Feb 16: The Union government has set an ambitious target to achieve a 60 per cent survival rate for childhood cancer by 2030, Deputy Director General of Health Services L. Swasticharan said on Sunday. Speaking at an event marking International Childhood Cancer Day, observed globally on February 15, he emphasised the need to save every child and build a “Viksit Bharat 2047.”
Swasticharan assured support for innovative funding models to improve access to treatment and financial assistance for children with cancer and their families. While India currently lacks a dedicated National Policy on childhood cancer, he said the existing health framework is flexible enough to incorporate initiatives aimed at universal health coverage for affected children. He also lauded nine states for signing MoUs prioritising childhood cancer and urged governments to work closely with stakeholders to leave no child behind.
The event, organised by CanKids KidsCan, highlighted progress in access to care, which has doubled from 27 per cent in 2019–20 to over 54 per cent in 2025. Experts stressed the next steps: achieving 100 per cent access, full financial protection, and the 60 per cent survival goal in line with national health priorities and the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer.
Professor Sameer Bakshi of AIIMS underlined the importance of capturing more childhood cancer cases to raise the national survival rate from 50 per cent to 60 per cent. He called for stronger coordination among stakeholders to reduce system fragmentation and enhance outcomes.
Poonam Bagai highlighted the need for policy integration, dialogue, and actionable solutions, which the newly formed Technical Expert Group on childhood cancer aims to facilitate. Bagai, who also chairs CanKids KidsCan and serves as Vice Chairman of Pallium India, emphasised that even as a low-income country, India has made significant strides in treating childhood cancer and changing societal perceptions.
The event also featured support from prominent figures including former IAS officer Karan Avtar Singh, CSR advocate Nikhil Pant, and banker Piyush Gupta. Childhood Cancer Survivors Excellence Awards were presented to Dr Tanveer Ahmed and Asian Youth sports climbing medallist Shivani Charak.