India faces a significant public health challenge, with nearly 1.5 million new cancer cases reported each year. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare,Anupriya Patel,emphasized importance of prevention and early detection during the silver jubilee celebrations of the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Hyderabad on Monday.
Patel described the hospital as model of compassionate care and social commitment . She noted that while advancements in medical technology and treatment have improved survival rates,the rising incidence of cancer is still driven by changing lifestyles and environmental factors. “The real challenge before us today is not just in providing affordable and quality treatment, but in preventing cancer and detecting it at an early stage,” she stated, highlighting that early diagnosis can significantly enhance survival rates.
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda,who participated virtually,reflected on the hospital's growth from its inception with 100 beds to its current capacity of 650. He credited the vision of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao for establishing a facility dedicated to affordable cancer treatment and advancing medical education and research in oncology .
Telangana's Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha acknowledged cancer as a major non-communicable disease affecting society. He pointed out that lifestyle changes and dietary habits are significant contributors to the increasing number of cases. The state has declared cancer a notifiable disease and has set up a cancer registry along with a dedicated portal for reporting cases. Narasimha also mentioned the establishment of cancer care centers in teaching hospitals at district headquarters to improve patient access to treatment .
Hospital chairman and actor Nandamuri Balakrishna remarked that the institution measures its success not in numbers but in the lives transformed and families reunited. He noted that support from philanthropists has facilitated the development of advanced radiation facilities and South India’s first bone marrow transplantation program, which is now highly regarded in the region.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu recalled the challenges patients faced in accessing specialized cancer treatment when the hospital was founded. Following the death of his wife, Basavatarakam, N.T. Rama Rao envisioned a facility that would provide advanced cancer care regardless of a patient's financial situation. Naidu credited Balakrishna with significantly transforming institution,calling it a temple for cancer patients and a beacon of hope for many families .
Among dignitaries present were former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Chandrasekhar Pemmasani,Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav, and several cancer survivors,all of whom underscored importance of accessible cancer care in the region.
