Delhi, November 29: The two-day national workshop on ‘Strengthening Cancer Care and Urban Health’ organised by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare organised concluded on Friday with focus on creating a robust continuum of cancer care from community-level screening to district-level treatment and advanced care.

The workshop was inaugurated by Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, and witnessed participation from Principal Secretaries, Mission Directors (NHM), senior officials, and State/UT Nodal Officers working in cancer control, NCDs, and urban health

Srivastava emphasised the creation of a robust continuum of cancer care from community-level screening to district-level treatment and advanced care, she noted that the National Programme for Prevention and Control of NCDs (NP-NCD) is central to expanding access and improving outcomes.

During the inaugural session, the Union Health Secretary released key policy documents, including the NP-NCD Training Modules, the FRU Guidelines 2025, and the Operational Guidelines for Strengthening Laboratory Services under the Free Diagnostics Initiative.

The workshop also featured detailed presentations on DCCC models, standard treatment workflows for common cancers, digital platforms for monitoring implementation, integration of viral hepatitis screening, and quality assurance mechanisms through NQAS.

Experts from NHSRC, Tata Memorial Centre, AHPGIC Odisha, NCDC, and ICMR shared insights on strengthening clinical and programmatic pathways. States such as Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Madhya Pradesh showcased best practices in cancer screening, community engagement, and district-level service delivery, offering scalable models for other States/UTs.

A national panel of cancer specialists and programme leaders deliberated on strategies to build an integrated cancer care ecosystem, enhance multidisciplinary coordination, improve early detection, and expand district-level capacity. States and UTs reaffirmed their commitment to rolling out DCCCs, adopting Standard Treatment Workflows, strengthening screening for common cancers, and improving referral pathways from Ayushman Arogya Mandirs to higher centres. Day two of the workshop focused on the urban health agenda under the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM).

Discussions highlighted key priorities for enhancing urban primary healthcare, including strengthening infrastructure, improving service delivery, reinforcing referral linkages, and deepening convergence between Urban Local Bodies and State Health Departments. States also shared best practices and innovative models for addressing urban health challenges.