SC asks states, UTs to declare cancer 'notifiable disease' for early detection
The top court's direction came after it was informed that 17 of the 36 states and UTs have so far notified cancer as a "notified disease" in light of the recommendations made in a parliamentary standing committee report.
The Supreme Court has directed the remaining 19 states and Union Territories to declare cancer as a notifiable disease to facilitate early detection and proper treatment for patients. This request follows the court's responses to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by renowned doctor Anurag Srivastava, who argued for mandatory reporting of cancer cases to ensure uniform treatment across the country.
The court, comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, expressed concern over the lack of consistent guidelines and a uniform policy for cancer notification among states. Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, representing the Centre, clarified that health is a state subject, and while 17 states have already notified cancer, the remaining jurisdictions are being asked to consider the recommendations and file compliance affidavits.
The PIL highlights the urgent need for a centralized, real-time digital cancer registry akin to the CoWIN platform, which was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as nationwide cancer screening initiatives. The plea emphasizes the current fragmented data, poor surveillance, and policy paralysis as major challenges in addressing India's growing cancer epidemic, urging the court to issue appropriate writs to ensure a unified response to the disease.
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