The Telangana government and Tata Trusts have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deliver high quality affordable cancer care through a three-tier model and develop academic and research capabilities in the state.

The MoU was signed by A Santhi Kumari, Telangana Principal Secretary, Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department, and R Venkataramanan, Managing Trustee, Tata Trusts.

According to the agreement, two apex super-speciality hospitals in the city- the MNJ Institute of Technology and the Nizam Institute of Medical Sciences will be upgraded to handle complex cancer cases on a referral basis. Medical colleges in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Mahbubnagar and Warangal will be strengthened to offer diagnosis and treatment of cancer cases.

The initiative in Telangana is the latest in Tata Trusts' effort to partner with state governments and other entities to decentralise cancer care in India. Similar initiatives are in different stages of implementation in Assam, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.