Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha says move will ensure better tracking, early detection, and policy planning amid rising cancer cases
Hyderabad: In a major public health initiative, the Government of Telangana has declared cancer a notifiable disease, mandating the reporting of every case across the state. The announcement was made by Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha during World Health Day celebrations on Tuesday.
Alongside this, the government also launched a comprehensive cancer registry aimed at collecting accurate and real-time data to strengthen cancer control strategies.
60,000 New Cancer Cases Reported Annually
Highlighting the urgency of the move, the minister said Telangana records nearly 55,000 to 60,000 new cancer cases every year. With cancer now classified as a notifiable disease, all cases will be systematically registered, enabling better surveillance and timely intervention.
The registry is expected to play a crucial role in helping authorities design targeted healthcare policies and allocate resources more efficiently.
Expansion of Cancer Care Infrastructure
The state has been ramping up its healthcare infrastructure to tackle the growing burden of cancer. Day Care Cancer Centres have already been established in district headquarters to improve accessibility to treatment.
The government is also planning to set up Regional Cancer Centres and deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for early detection and diagnosis.
AI-Based Lung Cancer Screening in 20 Hospitals
In a significant collaboration, the health department has partnered with AstraZeneca to conduct AI-based lung cancer screening across 20 government hospitals.
This initiative aims to enhance early detection rates and improve patient outcomes through advanced technology-driven diagnostics.
Major Boost to Screening and Public Health Outreach
The minister noted that large-scale health screenings are underway, including check-ups for nearly 46 lakh women associated with self-help groups (SHGs). These efforts are expected to aid in early identification of diseases, including cancer, at the grassroots level.
New LINAC Facility Inaugurated at NIMS
During the event, a state-of-the-art Linear Accelerator (LINAC) machine was inaugurated at the cancer block of Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), enhancing advanced cancer treatment capabilities in the state-run facility.
Trauma Care Policy and Healthcare Expansion Plans
The minister also unveiled a comprehensive trauma care policy aimed at improving emergency response for accident victims and critical cases.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced that upcoming multispecialty hospitals in Warangal and Hyderabad will add around 10,000 beds to the public healthcare system.
Additionally, the government is developing a digital platform to allow non-resident Telangana doctors to register and volunteer their services when visiting the state.
Focus on Data-Driven Healthcare
With the declaration of cancer as a notifiable disease and the launch of a dedicated registry, Telangana aims to move towards a more data-driven and proactive healthcare system.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve early diagnosis, treatment planning, and overall management of cancer across the state.
