The Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) in Hyderabad is taking healthcare for the underprivileged to a corporate standard by introducing highly advanced medical services. In a groundbreaking move, NIMS has made the Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) gene test completely free for cancer patients under the Aarogyasri scheme. While experimental trials for these tests have been conducted over the past few years, the service has now been fully launched to the public. This marks the first time a government-run hospital in Telangana is offering such a sophisticated genetic diagnostic facility.
While private corporate hospitals charge anywhere between ₹50,000 and ₹80,000 for this single test, NIMS will provide it at zero cost to poor patients. This test acts as a major lifesaver particularly for advanced Stage-4 cancer patients and those for whom standard chemotherapy has failed. Previously, administering uniform medication to all cancer patients often led to treatment failure and disease progression due to underlying genetic variations. The NGS test resolves this by pinpointing the exact gene mutation causing the malignancy, allowing doctors to recommend highly precise ‘targeted therapy’ and personalized medicine that directly attacks the defective genes.
These advanced diagnostics are immensely beneficial for patients battling advanced lung, colon, ovarian, and breast cancers, providing critical insights for ‘immunotherapy’—a treatment that stimulates the body’s T-cells to control tumors. Under the direction of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Medical Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha, NIMS is rapidly expanding its infrastructure to match premier institutions like AIIMS Delhi. Over the last two years, more than ₹150 crore has been utilized through government budgets and CSR funds to modernize facilities, which now also includes a specialized lung-washing procedure for the rare Pulmonary Alveolar Proteinosis condition.
