Reflections from the Managing Trustee, Friends of Max, Viji Venkatesh
“At the recently concluded Kerala Cancer Conclave held in Thiruvananthapuram on 28–29 July 2025, I was part of a Panel Discussion titled “Access and Affordability of Cancer Care: Payer, Payee, and System Perspectives.”
Moderated brilliantly by Dr Senthil Rajappa the Panel comprised of experts from the areas of Insurance, Media, Patient Advocates as well as of course Health Care Professionals.
Representing the patient’s voice to this important dialogue—one that continues to grow more urgent and complex by the day- sharing my thoughts while preparing for the session.
Access to health care is a basic social and human right – At least if nothing, the most basic health care.
Anyone working in the sphere of health and specifically cancer care will agree that quality healthcare must and only be based on the needs of patients and not their capacity to pay …
Sadly however, we are all seeing more and more how profit for various vested interests is taking priority over the wellbeing of patients.
I read somewhere how the unquestioned and universal ‘willingness of human beings to make infinite sacrifices to save the life of a loved one’ is what creates this frightening space for exploitation.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that over 95% of patients we work with fall into the financially challenged segment of society and the gap between their health needs and access to health care is very, very vast indeed. Close on their heels is the ‘Middle Class’ whose savings can be completely wiped out with just one member of the family being diagnosed.
What about Insurance one may ask at this juncture.
As for that – when an Insurance Policy that was supposed to be an investment that would safeguard against ill health is being ‘sold’ as a ‘product’ for ‘profit’ … that says it all doesn’t it?
Medical Insurance in India is something very few can afford and it is an illusion that healthcare is affordable. The truth is that it is not!
Almost a quarter of a century ago there was a collaboration between the Industry (Novartis) , a non-profit (The Max Foundation) and partnering physicians that ensured lifesaving therapy was made accessible to Leukemia (in this care CML) patients at no cost to them.
In all these years why haven’t we seen that blueprint being replicated or at least modified and adapted to suit the scenario today ? Yes at the The Max Foundation we continue to drive this forward with a few partners in a few countries but the world needs more access programs.
Today I appeal to those here, let us come together and work together to ensure no patient is left behind for want of financial resources.”
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