AP to set up 3 centres of excellence in cancer care; invest Rs. 500 cr on each

Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh principal secretary for health M.T Krishna Babu signed a memorandum of understanding with the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBCHRC) in Visakhapatnam on 11 June to prepare a roadmap for comprehensive cancer care.

Andhra Pradesh health officials said three centres of excellence in cancer care will be developed in collaboration with the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital in Tirupati, Vijayawada, and Visakhapatnam. About Rs. 500 crores will be invested on each of these three facilities.

Later, addressing the first HBCHRC annual cancer congress, Krishna Babu said the state government is committed to ensuring that comprehensive cancer care services reach far corners of the state. He highlighted the importance of Arogyashri trust and its dedication to cancer management. He also announced that seven medical colleges are being identified for upgrading cancer services.

Proposing to establish three centres of excellence at Vijayawada, Tirupati and Vizag, Mr. Krishna Babu said under the memorandum of understanding, the state will get aid from HBCHRC for technical aid, infrastructure, and human resource training. He also ordered the addition of all government cancer facilities and Arogyashri-empanelled cancer hospitals to the National Cancer Grid.

"Each centre for excellence would be created with Rs. 500 crore to provide best treatment and management. The Chief Minister's idea is to extend the service to remote areas using the services of village and ward secretariats," Mr. Krishna Babu said. Every individual will have access to cancer detection and early treatment within a 40 km radius of his or her house, he added.

Dr. RajanBadwe, the director of Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, that runs HBCHRC, laid special emphasis on access to equitable cancer care. He explained the role of the "hub and spoke model" of cancer care in delivering comprehensive cancer care across the country.