On April 25, 2026, Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the 23rd Cancer Survivors' Day organised by Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Jaipur, the Vice President's Secretariat said. He described survivors as examples of courage and resilience, appreciated the hospital and the K. G. Kothari Memorial Trust, and acknowledged the hospital's cancer-care work since 1997. Rajasthan officials and hospital leaders attended.
The Vice President highlighted India's growing cancer burden, citing the National Cancer Registry Programme's estimate of over 15 lakh cancer cases annually. He said government initiatives cover prevention, early detection, treatment and patient care. Under Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, more than 68 lakh cancer treatments worth over ₹13,000 crore have been provided, with nearly 75% of beneficiaries from rural areas. He said this shows the scheme's role in bridging gaps in access to critical cancer care.
He noted that the Central Government is establishing Day Care Cancer Centres in district hospitals, with more than 450 already operational. National Health Mission measures include early screening through Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and inclusion of anti-cancer drugs in the Essential Drugs List at district and sub-divisional hospitals. On preventive health, he referred to the nationwide HPV vaccination programme launched earlier in 2026 to combat cervical cancer, aiming to cover over one crore girls, and appreciated the Health Ministry and Rajasthan Government for advancing it. He called for awareness against smoking, tobacco, drug use and unhealthy fast food habits, stronger institutional coordination and shared learning among cancer-care hospitals.