Every year nearly 50,000 to 55,000 new cancer cases are reported in Telangana

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

The Telangana Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha has emphasized the urgent need to combat the growing burden of cancer in the state. Formally launching the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute (BIACH&RI) here in the city on Sunday, the Minister revealed that every year nearly 50,000 to 55,000 new cancer cases are reported in Telangana alone. “These are not just numbers; this is a devastating disease that deeply impacts families,” the minister stressed.

He underscored the importance of early detection and committed the government's support to enhancing cancer care across Telangana. As part of this effort, mobile cancer screening units will be introduced in all districts and cancer wards will be set up in every district hospital.

Further, the government is in the process of establishing four regional cancer care centers to bring advanced oncology services closer to patients. Commending Basavatarakam Hospital for its dedicated service to the underprivileged, the Minister assured full government support to institutions providing affordable and quality healthcare.

Governor of Telangana Jishnu Dev Varma, who was the Chief Guest, lauded the efforts of the hospital and its chairman Nandamuri Balakrishna. Recalling his interaction with Balakrishna, the Governor said, “I saw not a glamorous star, but a hero with a mission.” He praised the hospital for upholding the right to life and also appreciated its commitment to inclusion—citing the example of a differently-abled person operating a lift at the hospital. The Governor called on government hospitals to emulate such inclusive practices and applauded Basavatarakam for translating the national vision of “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan” into meaningful healthcare delivery.

Chairman of BIACH&RI, popular actor and politican Nandamuri Balakrishna, thanked the state governments of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and all donors who supported the hospital since its inception in 2000. “What began with 110 beds has today grown into a 700-bed hospital serving lakhs of cancer patients,” he noted. He announced the upcoming launch of a 1000-bed cancer hospital in Amaravati, with the first phase involving 300 beds. Remembering his late parents, NTR and Basavatarakam, Balakrishna reiterated that the hospital's core mission remains service, not profit, and pledged to continue fulfilling the vision of providing quality care for all.