Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 24: The Maharashtra government has announced a major expansion of its cancer care infrastructure, including the launch of 27 additional ambulatory cancer centres and the introduction of advanced treatment and diagnostic technologies under the state health scheme.

The announcement was made by state health minister Prakash Abitkar during a high-level review meeting held at the health services office in Mumbai.

Officials said the new initiative will strengthen the state’s Mahatma Phule Jan Arogya Yojana by incorporating modern cancer treatments such as immunotherapy, along with advanced diagnostic tools like PET scan facilities.

Currently, nine cancer day-care or ambulatory centres are operational across Maharashtra, and the government plans to expand this network significantly with the addition of 27 more centres in the near future.

Prakash Abitkar said coordination between the public and private sectors will be crucial in addressing the growing burden of cancer cases in the state, noting a steady rise in the number of patients requiring specialised care.

He also highlighted that cancer screening efforts are being carried out through mobile diagnostic vans operating across eight regional divisions in the state. According to him, more than three crore citizens have already been screened under the programme.

The state is also supporting treatment and diagnostic services through the “Maharashtra Cancer Warriors” initiative, which involves oncologists providing expert medical assistance across multiple locations.

During the meeting, experts from a South Korean institute presented “liquid biopsy” technology, an emerging method for early detection of various types of cancer, which officials said could significantly improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes if adopted in the future.