Performance Audit of Cancer Control Programme in Punjab

Abstract

The Cancer Control Programme in the State was being implemented mainly through two Schemes viz. ‘National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke’ (NPCDCS) – a Centrally sponsored scheme and ‘Mukh Mantri Punjab Cancer Raahat Kosh Scheme’ (MMPCRKS) – a State sponsored scheme. A performance audit of these two schemes brought out many deficiencies which seemed to have impaired effective management of Cancer Control Programme in Punjab. Some of the significant audit findings are summarised below: 1. District action plans had not been prepared. Funds of 2.79 crore were irregularly diverted to other non-communicable diseases (NCD) programmes outside NPCDCS. 2. Out of 14 Cardiac and Cancer Care Units (CCU) established in the State, cancer care facility was available only in one CCU at Bathinda which was not yet operational due to non-posting of requisite staff. 3. There was an overall shortage of manpower ranging between 21 and 86 per cent as per NPCDCS guidelines during 2012-17. Posts of State Programme Coordinator, District Programme Officers and District Programme Coordinators had remained vacant since 2010-11. 4. Activities related to cancer were not carried out at Community Health Centre, Public Health Centre and Sub Centre levels till 2015-16. In 2016-17, 32 patients suffering from cancer were detected during screening of 12,579 patients.