Modi says integrated approach needed to handle cancer; announces $7.5 million support package

Underlining India’s initiatives to fight cervical cancer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has stressed the importance of an ‘integrated approach to prevention, screening, diagnosis and treatment’ to deal effectively with the deadly disease.

Addressing the Quad Cancer Moonshot event, hosted by US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware on Saturday, the Indian leader also announced a $7.5 million support package for sampling kits, detection kits and vaccines to assist nations in combating cervical cancer.

“India is ready to share its experience and expertise. Today, many experts from India working in cancer care have joined us at this event. Our vision is One Earth, One Health. I announce the support of sampling kits, detection kits, and vaccines worth USD 7.5 million,” Modi said.

He also said that India will cooperate in radiotherapy treatment and capacity building, contributing 40 million vaccine doses for the Indo-Pacific countries.

“These 40 million vaccine doses will bring hope to millions of people. When the Quad acts, it is not just for nations; this is the true essence of our human-centric approach,” Modi added.

The Prime Minister also thanked Biden for organizing the event, which, he said, reflects “our shared determination to provide affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare”.

“…during the COVID pandemic, we initiated the Quad Vaccine initiative for the Indo-Pacific, and I am glad that we have decided to jointly tackle challenges like cervical cancer within the Quad. In cancer care, collaboration is essential for a cure,” Modi stressed.

He said that India has developed its own vaccine for cervical cancer and is introducing new treatment protocols with the help of AI.

India is running the world’s largest health insurance scheme and has established special centers to make medicines available at affordable costs, he told the gathering at the event.

The Cancer Moonshot is a White House initiative aimed at revitalizing leadership in the fight against cancer.

“I’m proud to announce the Quad Cancer Moonshot to end cancer around the world, starting with cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, yet every year 150,000 women in the Indo-Pacific die from it. We cannot and will not let that continue,” Biden said in a post on X.

Responding to it Modi wrote, “India fully supports this initiative. Let’s collectively work to strengthen the fight against cancer”.

The Cancer Moonshot has inspired significant action across the U.S. government and from both public and private sectors, laying a strong foundation for future work.

Till date, the initiative has launched more than 95 new programs, policies, and resources to address the issue.

A total of 170 private companies, non-profits, academic institutions, and patient groups have also joined in with new actions and collaborations.

The US Embassy in New Delhi facilitated the first-ever US -India Cancer Moonshot Dialogue on last month at the National Institute of Immunology.