Vijayawada: In a major boost to healthcare in Andhra Pradesh, the Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Hyderabad, is set to establish a state-of-the-art cancer care campus in Amaravati. The foundation stone was laid on Wednesday near Tullur by the institute’s chairman and Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna. Speaking on the occasion, Balakrishna recalled that the project’s foundation was initially laid in 2019 but stalled due to what he termed as negligence by the previous YSRCP govt. “After the coalition govt came to power, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu ensured the project was revived. Today, we began construction in a festive atmosphere,” he said.Balakrishna emphasised that the hospital operates as a non-profit institution supported by donors and has earned national recognition for its quality cancer care. “It was my mother Basavatarakam’s dream to provide world-class cancer treatment at an affordable cost. We are fulfilling that vision,” he added.The Amaravati campus will be built in two phases over 21 acres. The first phase, with an investment of ₹750 crore, will feature a 500-bed facility offering advanced oncology services, cutting-edge medical equipment, and integrated care for prevention, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation. This phase is scheduled for completion by 2028, making full medical services available to the public.The second phase will expand the bed capacity to 1,000 and transform the campus into a regional referral centre for complex and advanced cancer cases. It will also house specialised departments, a dedicated research wing, and serve as a hub for clinical excellence in South India.“This facility will be a beacon of hope for thousands of cancer patients,” Balakrishna said, expressing confidence that Amaravati will soon emerge as a premier destination for cancer treatment and research in the country.
