Telangana launches daycare cancer centres in 34 government hospitals

Telangana Health Minister C. Damodar Raja Narasimha on Tuesday virtually launched cancer daycare centres in 34 government hospitals across the State.

These cancer centres will offer screening, diagnosis, chemotherapy and palliative care. Patients who require chemotherapy can visit in the morning, receive treatment and return home the same evening, the Minister said. He also added that senior specialists from MNJ Cancer Hospital and Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), Hyderabad, would visit the centres. Palliative care services would be made available for those in the final stages of cancer.

The Minister virtually inaugurated the centres, which have been set up to ease the growing burden of cancer care on Hyderabad-based institutions. “Cancer cases are increasing dangerously across the country. In our State alone, over 55,000 cases are being registered every year. Experts say this number could cross 65,000 in the next five years,” he said. Currently, cancer treatment is concentrated at MNJ Hospital and the NIMS, both of which are facing an increasing patient load.

Language training

The Minister also announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU), Hyderabad, to train nurses in providing structured training in German and Japanese, along with cultural orientation, to make nursing graduates from the State employable overseas.

Training under EFLU will offer internationally recognised certification, and improve communication skills, confidence and adaptability in multicultural environments. “This partnership with EFLU will ensure credibility, academic rigour and sustainability of the programme. It also aligns with Telangana’s vision to promote skill development and global placements for the youth,” the Minister said.