The government of India has launched a scheme to help cancer patients financially to the tune of Rs.1 lakh towards treatment of the disease.

Union Home Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad informed the Lok Sabha today that the scheme was under implementation on pilot basis initially in 100 districts of 21 states. Under the scheme, 100 cancer patients in each district would be offered financial assistance of Rs.1 lakh for treatment of the dreaded disease.

The scheme would be extended to all districts in one or two years gradually and more and more cancer patients would be brought under the scheme. The Minister said that the government has introduced the scheme as the number of cancer patients is increasing day by day in the country and most of the cancer patients are unable to bear the treatment cost.

Azad revealed that  the government would bear all the cost of treatment of cancer patients who live below poverty line and have BPL cards.