Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday underscored the need to prioritise prevention and early diagnosis alongside treatment to effectively tackle the rising burden of cancer.
Speaking at the inaugural session of the global conference ‘Oncology Beyond Borders’, organised by the National Cancer Institute, the Chief Minister said cancer cases have increased significantly over the past decade, emerging as one of the most pressing challenges for the healthcare system.
He noted that while India has made considerable strides in strengthening healthcare infrastructure and access, cancer remains a major public health concern both nationally and globally. He stressed the importance of international collaboration, knowledge exchange and collective problem-solving to address a disease that transcends geographic and socio-economic boundaries.
Fadnavis highlighted the role of platforms such as ‘Oncology Beyond Borders’ in fostering cooperation, research partnerships and innovation in cancer care. He said institutions like the National Cancer Institute are contributing to advanced treatment delivery, serving patients from across India and abroad.
Referring to state-level initiatives, he pointed to the establishment of the Maha Cancer Foundation in Maharashtra, which aims to create a statewide cancer care grid based on a hub-and-spoke model to improve access to quality diagnosis and treatment services.
The Chief Minister also emphasised the growing importance of research, innovation and the integration of medical technology, biotechnology and artificial intelligence in enhancing early detection and improving treatment outcomes. He said technological advancement and timely diagnosis are critical to increasing survival rates and reducing the overall cancer burden.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding on cancer treatment cooperation was signed between the National Cancer Institute and the Ministry of Health of Guyana. A special issue of the scientific journal ‘The Wings’ was also released on the occasion.
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