Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu emphasized the critical need for more non-profit and charitable organizations to enter the healthcare sector to ensure quality medical access for the poor. Speaking as the chief guest at the silver jubilee celebrations of the Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Hyderabad, the Chief Minister inaugurated the event by lighting the traditional lamp. Reflecting on the emotional genesis of the institution, Naidu shared that the hospital was conceived out of a deeply personal loss when his mother-in-law passed away from cancer at a time when specialized cancer care was largely restricted to cities like Mumbai and Chennai. Driven by NT Rama Rao’s vision to prevent such tragedies in other families, the institution was established with a resolute commitment to service.
Lauding the growth of the hospital from a modest 100-bed facility to a massive 650-bed healthcare destination, the Chief Minister highly praised the relentless leadership of the trust’s chairman, Nandamuri Balakrishna. He noted that despite Balakrishna’s demanding schedules as an evergreen cinematic icon and Hindupur MLA, he consistently oversees the hospital’s operations to ensure it runs entirely on a non-profit basis. Today, the facility serves over 3 lakh patients annually and performs an average of 22 surgeries per day, acting as a beacon of hope for cancer patients across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Odisha. Naidu also formally appreciated Balakrishna’s latest announcement to set up a new 1,000-bed state-of-the-art cancer facility in the capital city of Amaravati.
Highlighting the Nandamuri family’s multi-generational dedication to public welfare, Chandrababu Naidu pointed out how both Balakrishna and his sister, Nara Bhuvaneshwari, have etched their places in people’s hearts through selfless service. While Balakrishna successfully manages the cancer hospital founded in their mother’s memory, Bhuvaneshwari spearheads the NTR Trust, providing critical education, healthcare assistance, and vital support to Thalassemia patients. The Chief Minister stated that such family-led charitable initiatives perfectly augment the government’s current healthcare strategy of implementing preventive, curative, and predictive medical systems. The grand event witnessed the presence of several dignitaries, including former Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu, Union Ministers Anupriya Patel and Pemmasani Chandrasekhar, alongside state health ministers and trust board member Nara Brahmani.
