The government of Telangana has officially designated cancer as a notifiable disease, requiring both government and private hospitals to report all cancer cases. This move aims to establish a comprehensive surveillance system for cancer, enabling better estimation of cancer incidence, prevalence, and mortality rates in the state. The initiative also seeks to enhance preventive screening, early detection measures, and facilitate planning for diagnostic and treatment facilities.
The Department of Health, Medical and Family Welfare in Telangana issued a Government Order mandating the reporting of all diagnosed cancer cases within one month of diagnosis. This reporting mechanism covers all types of cancer, including in situ and invasive cancers, diagnosed at any healthcare facility in the state. The objective behind this decision is to create a centralized Cancer Registry for the state, aiding in evidence-based policy formulation, research, and monitoring.
To ensure compliance with the reporting requirement, the District Medical and Health Officer will oversee that all hospitals, institutions, and laboratories report diagnosed cancer cases. Additionally, the Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre in Hyderabad will serve as a Center of Excellence for cancer care in Telangana. The order emphasizes the importance of accurate and timely data on cancer incidence and prevalence to address the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases in the state.
All hospitals under various schemes, institutions, and laboratories in Telangana are required to register online to obtain login credentials for submitting cancer case details through the state’s online portal. The notification extends to a wide range of healthcare providers, including government and private hospitals, medical college hospitals, AYUSH hospitals, and NGOs offering cancer care services. The initiative underscores the significance of comprehensive cancer registration for effective resource management and evaluation of interventions.
