NEW DELHI, Aug 11: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the 19 remaining States and Union Territories to consider declaring cancer a “notifiable disease” to strengthen early detection, reporting and treatment of the disease.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana issued the direction after being informed that 17 of the 36 States and UTs have already notified cancer as a notifiable disease.
The court asked the Centre why uniform guidelines could not be issued for all States and UTs, stressing the need for a consistent policy across the country.
Additional Solicitor General Anil Kaushik, appearing for the Centre, submitted that health is a State subject and pointed out that 17 States had already notified cancer.
The bench directed the remaining States and UTs to consider the recommendations and file compliance affidavits.
The matter relates to a PIL filed by renowned doctor Anurag Srivastava, who has sought nationwide notification of cancer to ensure mandatory reporting and improve early detection and patient care.
The petition contends that the absence of uniform reporting has resulted in fragmented data, weak surveillance and disparities in cancer detection and treatment across the country.
It has also sought a centralised, real-time digital cancer registry, integrated with existing cancer records, hospital databases, insurance schemes and mortality data.
The plea further called for nationwide cancer screening and stronger measures to ensure that patients have access to scientifically validated treatments.
The Supreme Court had issued notices to the Centre and all States and UTs on the PIL in December last year.
