Telangana to Set Up Cancer Care Centre in All Districts
Damodar Rajanarasimha
Hyderabad: In response to the alarming rise in cancer cases in Telangana, the state government has announced plans to establish cancer care centres in every district, Health Minister Damodar Rajanarasimha said on Sunday.
The announcement was made during the 25th anniversary celebrations of the Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute in Banjara Hills.
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According to TOI, the minister said, "Telangana is facing a serious public health concern with a worrying rise in cancer cases, with around 50,000 to 55,000 new cases reported each year. These are not just numbers; they impact families, futures, and lives."
To tackle this rising challenge, the Minister announced a series of public health interventions aimed at decentralising cancer care. “We are planning to introduce mobile cancer screening units in every district and will also establish dedicated cancer care centres. These facilities will offer comprehensive services, including screening, diagnosis, day-care chemotherapy, and palliative support,” he stated, reports The Hindu.
The planned centres will be integrated within teaching hospitals and will provide a range of essential services, including cancer screening, early diagnosis, chemotherapy, and palliative care.
"Early detection and treatment are essential to improving the chances of recovery and saving the lives of cancer patients. The growing number of cases requires us to expand our services and decentralise care across the state," he said, reports TOI.
The celebration also marked a significant milestone in the journey of the Basavatarakam Cancer Hospital, which began in 2000 as a modest 110-bed facility. Today, the hospital has grown into a 700-bed institution. Reflecting on this transformation, hospital chairman and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna credited the unwavering support of donors and well-wishers. According to the Hindu, "Now we are setting our sights on a new milestone, a thousand-bed cancer hospital in Andhra Pradesh. Work on the first phase will begin soon.”
The event was graced by Tripura Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, who inaugurated a new Linear Accelerator — a state-of-the-art radiotherapy machine that enhances the hospital’s treatment capabilities.
This state initiative aligns with national efforts to strengthen oncology infrastructure.
