The Supreme Court has asked the 19 remaining States and Union Territories to consider declaring cancer a “notifiable disease” to facilitate early detection and ensure proper care of patients. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, issued the direction yesterday. The court was informed that 17 of the 36 States and Union Territories have already notified cancer as a notifiable disease, following recommendations made by a Parliamentary Standing Committee.
The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices to the Centre and all States and Union Territories on a Public Interest Litigation-PIL seeking a direction to declare cancer a notifiable disease across the country.
The Centre told the court that health is a State subject and pointed out that 17 States have already notified cancer. The court directed the remaining States and Union Territories to consider the recommendations and take appropriate decisions. It also directed them to file compliance affidavits.
The Supreme Court has also sought measures for implementing cancer screening across the country.
