Nagaon MP-elect Devasish Sharma has proposed declaring cancer a notifiable disease in Assam and extending financial assistance to middle-class patients who struggle to afford treatment but may not qualify for existing welfare schemes.
Declaring cancer notifiable would require healthcare providers to report diagnosed cases to designated authorities, helping the government track the disease burden across districts and plan treatment facilities and resources based on more comprehensive data.
Sharma has also called for a support mechanism for middle-class families facing high treatment costs, including expenses for surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, medicines and diagnostic tests. The proposal seeks to help patients who need financial assistance but fall outside the eligibility criteria of existing schemes.
His focus on cancer care is linked to his involvement in cancer-related social work through Deepshikha, an organisation that supports patients.
The proposals come amid efforts to expand cancer-care infrastructure in Assam, including facilities in Nagaon, Sivasagar, Dhubri and Nalbari. Better reporting could help authorities assess regional needs and plan specialised services.
However, the proposals require further policy consideration and government action. Details of the proposed funding mechanism, eligibility criteria and implementation timeline have not yet been specified.
