Rs 42 Crore Cancer Facility Opened at KGH

Visakhapatnam: Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav on Monday inaugurated a set of advanced cancer treatment equipment worth Rs 42 crore at the King George Hospital (KGH) Cancer Centre here.

The equipment included a linear accelerator valued at Rs 25 crore, a CT simulator worth Rs 9.5 crore and HDR Brachytherapy equipment costing Rs 7.5 crore.

Speaking at the event, the minister emphasized the government's commitment to making Andhra Pradesh a cancer-free state. "We are committed to providing modern medical services to the people of North Andhra. With the new facilities here, cancer patients will no longer need to travel to other states for treatment."

In an address to medical students and doctors at the medical college's Centenary Building, the minister spoke of his personal connection to the cancer fight. "I have lost three family members to cancer – my mother, brother and sister at different times. As a public representative, I am keen on fighting against cancer," he said.

Yadav highlighted the severity of the cancer crisis. He noted that, according to the 2022 ICMR survey, India registered 15 lakh new cancer cases, with 8.84 lakh people losing their lives. In AP alone, 73,000 people were affected in 2022. WHO statistics revealed that 42,000 people died of cancer in the state, he said.

The AP government, he said, has established cancer institutes in four regions to ensure easy access to treatment. The Kurnool centre serves the Rayalaseema region, while a Level 1 cancer centre operates in Guntur. The newly equipped Visakhapatnam centre would primarily benefit the two Godavari districts of north AP.

Plans are already underway for the second phase, which will see cancer centres established in Anantapur and Kakinada. By 2031, the government aims to set up one cancer centre every 50 km across the state.

The minister said the state government has allocated Rs 350 crore for cancer eradication programmes, with a focus on early detection and screening. “We would deploy 18,000 ASHAs (accredited social health activists) who would receive specialized training to conduct orientation and screening tests for oral, breast, and cervical cancers.

Film actress Gautami has been appointed as an adviser to the cancer prevention programme.