At Delhi’s ‘free’ cancer hospital, patients ask: ‘How can I afford it?’

Sabra, a 48-year-old tailor from Jaffrabad, arrived at the Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) with the expectation of receiving free treatment for her breast cancer. However, she has now spent over Rs 1.2 lakh on trastuzumab, a cancer drug, which she now purchases from a private diagnostic center for Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000 per month.

She also faces additional costs for various tests, as many required procedures are not available at the hospital and she is referred to private centers, where she must pay for them. Sabra's husband, an e-rickshaw driver, earns around Rs 20,000 per month, which makes the hospital her only feasible option. The hospital, which boasts "ultra-modern diagnostic facilities," has been criticized for leaving expensive equipment unused.

A PET-CT scan at a private center can cost anywhere from Rs 8,000 to Rs 30,000, making it difficult for patients like Sabra and her husband to afford the necessary tests without paying out of pocket. The hospital's Department of Nuclear Medicine, which has three high-end machines installed costing $6.3 million, has been experiencing issues with outdated technology and a lack of experienced personnel to operate the equipment.