Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute marks 25 years of compassionate cancer care

Twenty-five years ago, the pain of losing a mother to cancer became the foundation of a mission that has since touched millions of lives. Before she passed away, Basavatarakam, wife of legendary leader and former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao, wished that no family should suffer the tragedy of losing a loved one to cancer simply because treatment was unaffordable or inaccessible. That wish owned by Nandamuri family as a social responsibility. What began as personal grief evolved into a public mission when NTR laid the foundation stone for the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute.

For the past 25 years, under the leadership of Trust Chairman Nandamuri Balakrishna and with the support of trustees, doctors, scientists and philanthropists, the institution has been carrying forward that promise as a service to humanity. The hospital celebrated its Silver Jubilee in Hyderabad on Monday, commemorating a remarkable journey of hope, healing and compassion. A special presentation highlighted the institution’s milestones, growth in infrastructure, cutting-edge cancer care, patient support systems and future expansion plans.

At the foundation ceremony of the hospital, NTR remarked “Humanity is my ideal. Society is my temple. The poor are the visible forms of God and serving them is serving God.”Those words continue to guide the institution even today.The hospital run as a humanitarian mission, providing world-class cancer treatment at affordable costs.

On the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, the Trust expressed gratitude to its donors, doctors, scientists, staff, patients and their families who have been part of this extraordinary journey.

The foundation for the hospital was laid in 1988 with the vision of making advanced cancer care accessible to all. The hospital was inaugurated in 2000 by former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee with 100 beds. Today, it has grown into one of India’s leading comprehensive cancer centres, thanks to the contributions of renowned medical professionals, scientists and members of the Indian diaspora who supported the institution with a spirit of service.

The Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital now serves patients not only from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh but also from neighbouring states. The hospital currently treats more than 3 lakh outpatients annually, nearly 90,000 inpatients every year, over 8,000 successful cancer surgeries and 86 successful bone marrow transplants.

More than 65 per cent of its patients come from economically weaker sections and receive world-class treatment at highly affordable costs. The hospital also provides quality healthcare under government schemes including Aarogyasri and Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.

The hospital is supported by a team of over 250 specialists, including surgical, medical and radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists, nuclear medicine experts, medical physicists, technicians and research professionals. Comprehensive treatment is available for head and neck, breast, cervical, prostate and several other organ-based cancers. The hospital also runs a dedicated palliative care unit that focuses on pain management, emotional support and improving the quality of life of patients battling life-threatening illnesses.

Inspired by cancer survivor and cricketer Yuvraj Singh’s message that cancer can be defeated through early detection, the Trust has undertaken mobile cancer screening programmes across the Telugu states.So far 2.7 lakh people have undergone cancer screening. Three world records have been set through cancer awareness initiatives. An additional 45,000 people, including 25,000 women, were screened free of cost as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations.These initiatives have significantly expanded awareness about cancer prevention and early diagnosis.

The Trust has now set its sights on an even bigger mission.As part of its future plans, it will establish a 1,000-bed integrated cancer hospital in Amaravati under the leadership of Chairman Nandamuri Balakrishna, further expanding access to advanced cancer care in the Telugu states.

Reflecting on the journey, trustee Nara Brahmani said: “Difficult roads often lead to beautiful destinations. Through the Nandamuri Basavataraka Ramarao Cancer Foundation, we are creating new pathways of hope for lakhs of cancer patients and helping them reach those beautiful destinations. It is a blessing that three generations of our family have had the opportunity to be part of this mission of service.”What began as a mother’s final wish has today become a beacon of hope for countless families—a living testament that compassion, when transformed into action, can save lives and change destinies.