Addressing the gathering during the ground-breaking ceremony of the institute on the Alipiri bypass road on Friday, he the facility would join the list of eminent institutions in Tirupati — SVRR Government General Hospital, Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled, Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, etc., and truly project Tirupati as the ‘medical hub’ of the State according to the reports published in thehindu.com.
“Every year, cancer affects more than 50,000 people in Andhra Pradesh and the number is expected to touch 1.5 lakh by 2020. In this context, there is an immediate need to address the issue and through this upcoming network of cancer care, we would like to ensure that quality medical services are offered even to the underprivileged,” he added.
The CM lauded the efforts of Tata Trusts Chairman Ratan N. Tata and their group for their philanthropic pursuits.
“We are privileged that a hospital of such a magnitude is being constructed at the foothills of Tirumala,” the CM said.
Mr. Naidu utilised the occasion to highlight the initiatives being taken by the State government to provide quality healthcare to the people.
Mr. Ratan N. Tata reaffirmed their commitment towards cancer care in the country. TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singhal said that they had allotted 25 acres for the construction of the facility.
To be ready by June 2019
TTD and the Tata Trusts signed a MoU last year and established a special purpose vehicle – Alamelu Charitable Foundation — for implementing the initiative.
The centre is expected to become operational by June 2019, housing all the latest equipment, including 20 Linear Accelerators (LINACs) to be developed in phases, to reduce the patient waiting time to zero.
Another major aspect is offering accommodation for patients and their caregivers in dormitories in order to reduce out-of-pocket expenses.