Study Finds Ayushman Bharat Improves Cancer Care Access but Requires Increased Funding

India's Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) has significantly improved access to cancer treatments, covering over 68 lakh cases worth around Rs 13,000 crore since 2018, particularly benefiting rural and low-income populations. A study led by Dr Abhishek Shankar found that enrollment under AB-PMJAY increased timely treatment initiation by about 90%. However, the current annual allocation of Rs 7,700 crore falls short of the estimated Rs 33,000 crore needed to provide comprehensive five-year cancer care, highlighting the need for expanded coverage and early diagnosis initiatives.