Cancer registry in Telangana has logged 35,000 cases, government advisor informs Minister

Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha along with Oncologist Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu, Health Secretary Christina Z. Chongthu and senior officials during a review meeting on Tuesday, November 3.

The Telangana government has expanded cancer treatment services to all 33 districts in the State, with day-care cancer centres providing chemotherapy locally to reduce the need for patients to travel to Hyderabad, Minister for Health C. Damodar Raja Narasimha said on Tuesday, November 3. The government has also initiated steps to establish Regional Cancer Centres to further strengthen cancer care infrastructure, he added.

The Minister made these remarks during a review meeting on medical services being provided to cancer patients in government hospitals.

Oncologist Dr. Nori Dattatreyudu, who also serves as the advisor to the Telangana government on preventive, curative and affordable cancer care, said 35,000 cancer cases have been registered on the dedicated cancer portal. “Declaring cancer a notifiable disease and effective use of cancer registry will help strengthen the State’s efforts in monitoring and controlling the disease,” he added.

Citing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme as an example, Dr. Nori also appreciated the State’s efforts in prevention, screening and early detection of cancer. Of the 3.4 lakh eligible girls in Telangana, 2.3 lakh of them have been vaccinated against the HPV, achieving a coverage of 67%, he said.

During the meeting, officials briefed the Minister on cancer treatment facilities available at the MNJ Cancer Hospital and the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), besides the functioning of day-care chemotherapy centres established across the State. They explained that while patients initially receive treatment at MNJ or NIMS, chemotherapy services are subsequently provided at district-level centres. Patients are also being mapped district-wise to facilitate treatment and follow-up.

The Minister directed officials to improve facilities for patients receiving chemotherapy at district centres and ensure that the services were readily available at the district headquarters. “Patients should not have to travel to Hyderabad for chemotherapy when treatment could be provided closer to their homes,” he added.