India Records 15 Lakh New Cancer Cases Annually; Early Detection Key to Reducing Burden: Anupriya Patel
Additionally, 23 AIIMS are now functioning across India, bringing specialised healthcare services closer to people.
Hyderabad:India is witnessing nearly 15 lakh new cancer cases every year, making cancer one of the country’s most significant public health challenges, Union minister of state for health and family welfare, Anupriya Patel said while addressing the silver jubilee celebrations of Basavatarakam Indo American cancer hospital & research institute in Hyderabad on Monday.
Speaking at the event, Patel said the institution was established with the vision of creating a centre of excellence that ensures affordable and quality cancer care for all sections of society, particularly the underprivileged.
Highlighting the Centre’s efforts in cancer prevention and early detection, Patel said India has rolled out one of the world's largest population-based cancer screening programmes through nearly 1.84 lakh Ayushman Aarogya Mandirs. So far, over 35 crore individuals have been screened for oral cancer, 16 crore women for breast cancer and over 9 crore women for cervical cancer.
The minister also pointed to the rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure, noting that the number of medical colleges in the country has increased from 384 before 2014 to 820 currently and has oncology services. Additionally, 23 AIIMS are now functioning across India, bringing specialised healthcare services closer to people.
Union health minister J.P. Nadda, who participated virtually, lauded the hospital’s team of over 450 doctors, including specialists in surgical, medical and radiation oncology. He said the institution’s organ-based oncology services, research capabilities and dedicated palliative care unit have made it a model cancer care centre. Nadda noted that 19 state cancer institutes, 20 tertiary care cancer centres and 554 day-care cancer centres have been approved across the country to strengthen cancer care services.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu described the hospital as the fulfilment of N.T. Rama Rao's vision after the loss of Basavatarakam to cancer. He announced his support welcoming chairman Nandamuri Balakrishna’s plans to set up a cancer hospital in Andhra Pradesh soon.
Former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu praised the institution for delivering affordable healthcare with compassion, while Telangana health minister Damodar Rajanarasimha highlighted the state government's focus on cancer screening, treatment and strengthening district-level cancer care services.
Andhra Pradesh health minister Satya Kumar Yadav said the state was expanding cancer screening programmes and establishing specialised cancer centres to meet the growing disease burden. Union minister of state for rural development and communications Pemmasani Chandrasekhar also attended the celebrations.
Speaking on the occasion, Balakrishna said he stood before the gathering not as an actor or legislator but as a son whose mother's battle with cancer inspired the creation of the institution.
Reaffirming the hospital’s founding principle, he said no patient should be denied treatment due to lack of money. The event was attended by trustees, including Nara Brahmani, Dr Nori Dattatreyudu, Dr Polavarapu Raghava Rao, Dr Gaddam Dasaratha Rami Reddy, JSR Prasad, Sribharat Mathukumilli, doctors, staff members and other dignitaries.
