Hyderabad, April 7 In a move aimed at improving cancer care in the state, Telangana Health Minister C Damodar Rajanarasimha announced on Tuesday that cancer would be classified as a notifiable disease and launched a cancer registry.
Expressing concern that approximately 55,000 to 60,000 new cancer cases are being reported in the state each year, he said that every cancer case would be registered following the announcement of cancer as a notifiable disease.
The cancer registry would help the government in obtaining accurate data for developing better plans to combat the spread of cancer, he said.
Observing that the state government has expanded healthcare to treat cancer by establishing Day Care Cancer Centres in district headquarters towns, he said that the government is conducting health checks for 46 lakh members of women self-help groups (SHGs).
He said that the government would establish Regional Cancer Centres and take measures to detect diseases like cancer using AI.
The minister made these remarks while attending World Health Day celebrations and inaugurating a LINAC (Linear Accelerator) in the cancer block of the state-run Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) here, according to an official release.
The health minister also launched several initiatives, including a comprehensive trauma care policy to assist victims of accidents and other emergencies.
The health department has entered into an agreement with AstraZeneca to conduct lung cancer screening, using AI in 20 government hospitals.