Cancer care offered in India and large part of the world is heterogenous with few regions having dedicated high volume centers with established referral patterns. Cancer care faces significant challenges, primarily due to the uneven distribution of healthcare facilities across the country. While urban areas have a higher concentration of specialized cancer hospitals, rural regions suffer from a stark deficit of such essential services. This disparity not only exacerbates the burden on urban hospitals but also leaves a large segment of the population with limited access to timely and effective cancer treatment. According to studies, the majority of cancer care infrastructure and specialists are concentrated in metropolitan cities, creating a pronounced urban-rural divide in cancer care accessibility.

Operational Norms of Accommodation Centre

Facilities: The old age care center will have the following facilities:

a)   Separate arrangement for men and women.

b)   Adequate Safe drinking water and for ancillary purposes.

c)    There shall be hygienic toilet and bath facilities @ one per 10 residents

d)   Electricity, fans and heating arrangement for residents.

e)   Locker facility for safe keeping of belongings

f)     Separate dining arrangement.

g)   Recreation facilities, television, newspaper and an adequate collection of books.

h)   First aid, sick bay and primary healthcare facilities. 

Nutrition: Every day accommodation centre will serve adequate quantity, good quality, fresh & healthy, variety in food stuff (as per local  conditions) containing an average of 1700 calories and 50 grams of protein to the beneficiaries. 

Medical facilities: The project will have first aid kit (as advised by Doctor), glucometer, BP monitoring machine, weighing machine and medicines, as prescribed by a Doctor. As far as possible, the residence of the Doctor will be near the project. Regular Health Camps will be organized in coordination with the District Administration. Arrangements will be there with the nearest Government hospital for emergency medical care.

Recreation: Accommodation center will facilitate Books, Magazines, newspapers (in regional/ local language), religious/cultural activities, games like caroms, chess, cards, one cable  connection, computer with internet connection.

Security: All necessary toll-free and emergency helpline numbers—such as police, fire, hospital, child helpline, women’s helpline, and others—will be made available to beneficiaries and their families to ensure immediate support in any kind of emergency situation.

Rooms: The accommodation center will have properly ventilated rooms with sufficient space between the beds of the beneficiaries for their easy movement. Provision for storage of the belongings of the beneficiaries will also be available. Floors would be anti-slippery.

Bathrooms and toilets: The centre will have separate toilets along with western style fixed commodes for females and males. Bathrooms and toilets will have anti-slippery tiles and railings for hand support.

Hygiene and Sanitation: All area, living rooms, veranda/courtyard, kitchen, dining place will be leaned 2 times a day. Bathrooms and toilets will also be cleaned thrice a day. Disinfectants will be used for infection control to ensure a sanitized environment and hand washing facilities will be on prominently location.