The State government is establishing “Pain and Palliative Care Centres”, comprising five to ten beds each, in teaching hospitals at Kurnool, Guntur, Kakinada, Visakhapatnam, and Tirupati, said Minister for Health, Medical Education, and Family Welfare Satya Kumar Yadav on Tuesday (February 03, 2026).
In a press statement issued in connection with the World Cancer Day, to be observed on Wednesday (February 04), the Minister said that step have been taken to provide comfort and care to terminally ill cancer patients. He announced that such centres will come up in all teaching hospitals in the State in a phased manner, and that nursing staff are being trained to render services at these five centres throughHomi Bhabha Cancer Institute in Visakhapatnam.
The government is also considering the idea of expanding cancer care services to every district headquarters, according to the press note. The Minister also said day-care chemotherapy centres have been made operational in 23 secondary hospitals, reducing travel time and cost for patients by making such services available closer to their homes.
Giving details about the number of cancer cases in the State, the Minister noted with concern that the number of cancer cases being reported in A.P. has gradually increased from 25,487 cases in 2020 to 35,546 in 2025.
Based on the recommendations of renowned oncologist and government advisor Dr. Nori Dattatreya, a detailed Cancer Atlas (2021–25) has been prepared using data from beneficiaries who received treatment for cancer under the NTR Vaidya Seva scheme, the Minister said. It was found that 64.19% of those who were treated under the scheme were women, at 64.19% and men accounted for 35.82%.
Focussing on early detection, the government is taking up a cancer survey under which, 1,44,39,648 men have been screened for oral cancer and 76,05,540 women have been screened for oral, breast, and cervical cancers in the State. Out of these, 3,71,757 patients are being evaluated for oral cancer, 1,80,703 for breast cancer and 2,46,190 for cervical, according to the press note.
To address hesitancy among women regarding cervical cancer screening, the department has initiated a special invitation programme for women aged 30 and above, according to the press note. Personalised invitation letters specifying the venue, date, and time of screening are being distributed door-to-door by the health staff.
All teaching hospitals in the State have established a dedicated screening OPD in Room No. 222, operational every Tuesday and Thursday. These units provide same-day consultations and diagnostic tests with all required specialists available at one location, the Minister said in the statement, and iterated that public awareness and prevention are key to combating cancer.
Published – February 03, 2026 11:08 pm IST
