Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday formally released the “Lung Cancer Treatment and Palliation: Evidence-Based Guidelines” at Kartavya Bhavan in New Delhi, on the eve of World Cancer Day. The document marks India’s first nationally developed, evidence-based guideline for lung cancer care.

The guidelines aim to provide a standardized, evidence-based framework for the diagnosis, treatment, and palliative care of lung cancer patients across the country. Developed by leading oncology experts and key stakeholders, the document seeks to strengthen clinical decision-making, promote best practices, and reduce variations in treatment outcomes, while ensuring high-quality, accessible, and patient-centric care.

Congratulating the Department of Health Research (DHR), Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), and partner institutions, Shri Nadda praised their collaborative efforts in developing the landmark guidelines. He said the document would play a crucial role in standardizing clinical practices and improving the quality of cancer care nationwide.

“The release of these guidelines reflects a strong national resolve to combat cancer through science, compassion, and leadership,” the Union Minister said, adding that the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to evidence-based healthcare delivery.

Highlighting the challenges in lung cancer management, Shri Nadda emphasized that early detection remains one of the biggest hurdles and called for strengthening preventive and screening strategies, particularly among high-risk populations. He reiterated the government’s commitment to expanding research, innovation, and scientific collaboration to improve early diagnosis, treatment outcomes, and long-term survivorship.

The Union Health Minister also underscored the importance of indigenous, context-specific policymaking. “India must not merely replicate international models, but lead with solutions suited to its own healthcare realities,” he said, noting that the guidelines are tailored to the country’s disease burden, resource settings, and clinical infrastructure, rather than relying solely on Western protocols.

Nadda further said that evidence-based guidelines enhance the credibility and consistency of clinical decision-making across both public and private healthcare systems. He stressed the need for continued investment in health research and capacity building to strengthen cancer care delivery.

Reaffirming the government’s resolve, he said India’s fight against cancer would be guided by scientific rigor, compassionate care, and inclusive healthcare delivery, ensuring that no patient is left behind. The newly released guidelines, he added, provide evidence-based recommendations for both treatment and palliation, enabling clinicians to deliver standardized, high-quality care across the country.

The document includes 15 evidence-based recommendations covering lung cancer treatment and palliative care. Developed using internationally accepted methodologies, including systematic evidence synthesis and adaptation to the Indian healthcare context, the guidelines aim to improve early diagnosis, streamline treatment pathways, enhance palliative care services, and ultimately improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

The guidelines have been made available on the DHR website for access by all stakeholders. A plain-language summary will also be released to help patients, families, and caregivers better understand the recommendations.

Senior officials present at the event included Health Secretary Ms. Punya Salila Srivastava, Secretary (DHR) Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General of Health Services Dr. Sunita Sharma, Additional Secretary (DHR) Ms. Anu Nagar, along with ministry officials and experts who contributed to the development of the guidelines.