As cancer cases continue to rise in Bengaluru and across Karnataka, hospitals are increasingly shifting chemotherapy delivery to daycare centres. Today, nearly 80% of chemotherapy treatments are administered without overnight hospital admission, reflecting a significant decline in inpatient chemotherapy over the past few years.
This transition marks a broader shift toward patient-friendly and cost-effective cancer care, where treatment can be delivered safely within a few hours, allowing patients to return home the same day.
What are daycare chemotherapy centres?
Daycare chemotherapy centres are designed to provide short-duration cancer treatments in an outpatient setting. Patients receive their chemotherapy infusion during the day and are discharged once the treatment is complete.
This model offers several advantages. It reduces hospital bed occupancy, lowers healthcare costs, and enables patients to recover in the comfort of their homes, which can improve overall well-being during treatment.
Patient experience highlights benefits
Many patients are choosing daycare chemotherapy for its convenience and affordability.
Vasantha (name changed), a 70-year-old breast cancer patient, completed all six of her chemotherapy sessions at the daycare centre of a private hospital.
“At the age of 70, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. After my surgery in September 2025, doctors advised a few cycles of chemotherapy. I chose the daycare centre because it allowed me to rest at home after treatment,” she said. She added that the option was also financially viable, as most of the treatment cost was covered under insurance.
Karnataka Government Expands Daycare Chemotherapy Services
To address the growing demand for cancer care, the Karnataka government established District Daycare Chemotherapy Centres (DDCCs) in 16 district hospitals in June 2025. The initiative aims to reduce the patient burden on Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology (KMIO), the state’s premier cancer treatment centre.
Since their launch, these centres have already treated 451 patients and delivered 1,341 chemotherapy cycles.
“These centres operate on a hub-and-spoke model, and any complications or clinical queries are escalated to KMIO,” explained Dr. Raghunandan, Deputy Director of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Health Department.
Regional access improving for cancer patients
KMIO is also supporting the DDCC at Mysuru District Hospital, which has already treated 32 patients with 112 chemotherapy cycles.
According to Dr. Naveen T, Director of KMIO, the facility is particularly helpful for patients from outside Bengaluru.
“Many patients start their treatment at KMIO and then continue subsequent chemotherapy cycles in Mysuru. Patients from Mysuru, Mandya, Chamarajanagar, and Kodagu frequently use this facility,” he said.
Medical advances encourage outpatient chemotherapy
Doctors say the growing adoption of daycare chemotherapy is largely due to advances in cancer treatment protocols and supportive therapies.
“More patients are opting for daycare chemotherapy because of better tolerability, shorter infusion times, reduced infection risk, lower costs, and minimal disruption to daily life,” said Dr. Murali Subramanian, Director of Daycare Clinics and Senior Medical Oncologist at HCG Cancer Hospital.
Similarly, Dr. Amit Rauthan, Head of Medical Oncology, Immunotherapy, and Precision Medicine at Manipal Hospital, Old Airport Road, noted that daycare chemotherapy has become the standard approach for most patients.
“We have around 32 beds in our daycare centre, and nearly 30 remain occupied daily. Except for about 10% of complex cases such as sarcoma or leukaemia, and another 10% of patients concerned about potential side effects, most individuals receive chemotherapy entirely in daycare settings,” he explained.
Key highlights
- 80% of chemotherapy treatments are now delivered in daycare centres
- 16 District Daycare Chemotherapy Centres (DDCCs) established across Karnataka since June 2025
- 451 patients have received 1,341 chemotherapy cycles at these centres
Overall, the expansion of daycare chemotherapy services is improving accessibility, reducing hospital burden, and making cancer treatment more patient-centric across Karnataka. The Indian Practitioner
