Dr Ramandeep Arora speaks to ecancer about a multicentre analysis evaluating the cost-effectiveness of paediatric cancer treatment in public and charitable hospitals across India.

Using the CC-BRIDGE tool, the researchers assessed treatment costs and health benefits measured as disability-adjusted life years averted, using data from paediatric oncology centres across the country.

He reports that the estimated cost per DALY averted ranged from $508 to $604 across the scenarios analysed, indicating that childhood cancer treatment represents a cost-effective health system investment.

Dr Arora highlights that these findings support sustainable financing and the wider integration of paediatric oncology services into national cancer control and universal health coverage strategies in India.