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New Delhi, May 28: India is witnessing a concerning surge in cases of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), an aggressive and rapidly progressing blood cancer. Health experts warn that delayed diagnoses and high treatment costs are severely impacting survival rates, turning AML into a silent public health emergency.
Rising Incidence and Late Diagnosis
Recent data shows that India now ranks just behind the US and China in AML incidence, with major cities like Delhi reporting nearly 3,000 new cases annually. Alarmingly, the disease is increasingly affecting younger adults, particularly those in their 30s and 40s. Experts attribute the crisis to vague early symptoms—such as fatigue or fever—that are often mistaken for minor illnesses. By the time patients seek specialized care, the disease has typically advanced, leaving fewer effective treatment options.
“We lose critical time because AML is detected late in our country and often masquerades as fatigue or infection. By the time the right tests are done, the disease often progresses to a stage where treatment options are limited or less effective,” said Dr. Ranjit Sahoo, Additional Professor, Medical Oncology, AIIMS.
Barriers to Treatment
While AML can be detected with a simple blood test, definitive treatment is generally available only at tertiary care centers and comes at a steep cost. Only about 30% of diagnosed patients complete their treatment, with financial constraints and inadequate insurance coverage cited as major barriers. Advanced therapies, such as targeted drugs and bone marrow transplants, remain largely inaccessible for most Indians due to their prohibitive costs and limited inclusion in public health schemes.
“Even though Delhi has some of the best hospitals, we don’t have a cohesive care model for AML. A patient’s outcome depends largely on which hospital they go to, whether they have insurance, and how early they are referred to a tertiary center,” noted Dr. Dharma Chaudhary, BLK Super Speciality Hospital.
Systemic Gaps and Urgent Recommendations
Experts emphasize that India’s fragmented healthcare infrastructure and lack of standardized diagnostic pathways are exacerbating the crisis. Many public hospitals lack the resources for timely genetic testing and advanced diagnostics, while targeted therapies are often restricted to private, urban facilities.
To address these challenges, leading oncologists and policy advocates are calling for a multi-pronged national strategy:
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Declare AML a national health priority to enable focused funding and research.
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Expand molecular diagnostic infrastructure to government and rural hospitals.
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Include AML drugs in national registries and public insurance schemes to improve affordability.
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Reform insurance coverage under Ayushman Bharat and private plans.
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Launch awareness and screening campaigns to educate the public and train general physicians.
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Integrate AML into national health records for better data tracking and policy planning.
The Road Ahead
Without swift intervention, AML threatens to become an increasingly difficult public health challenge in India. Experts stress that early detection, expanded insurance coverage, and access to innovative therapies must go hand in hand to improve survival outcomes and reduce the financial burden on families.
“Strategic interventions now can save lives. AML may be rare, but its impact is devastating. Early detection, insurance reforms, and access to innovation must go hand in hand if we are to reverse the tide,” urged a panelist at a recent awareness event.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers are encouraged to consult qualified healthcare professionals for diagnosis and treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia or any other health condition.
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