Government of Andhra Pradesh and Tata Trusts collaborate on hospital projects in the state

Vijayawada, June 21, 2017: The government of Andhra Pradesh and Tata Trusts today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to partner on the state government’s hospital projects so that comprehensive and affordable diagnosis and treatment are made available to the people within the state itself. 

The government has initiated work on several hospital projects across the state. The upcoming facilities include two cancer centers in Nellore and Kurnool, an AIIMS in Guntur, expansion of facilities in Vishaka Institute of Medical Sciences in Vizag. In addition, Tata Trusts are setting up a cancer hospital in Tirupati and the Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, India’s leading cancer hospital and a grant-in-aid institution of the Department of atomic energy, is building a 100 – bed cancer hospital in Vishakapatnam. 

There is a need for regular project monitoring as well as technical services including preparation of detailed reports, assessment of optimum size and scope of the new facilities, preparing services and manpower plans and so on. The Memorandum of Understanding, which was signed in the presence of Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Chandrababu Naidu and Hon’ble Minister for Health and Medical Education, Shri Kamineni Srinivas Rao envisages the setting up of a ‘Projects cell’ that would support planning and execution of these hospital projects. The cell would visualize these centres as a collaborative network and ensure complementarity of services. 

Smt. Dr. Poonam Malakondaiah, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of Health, Medical & Family Welfare said, “The government is committed to upgrading healthcare infrastructure to allow the poor to access care close to their homes”. Shri Dr. Jitendar Sharma, Advisor to Govt. on medical and health, said, “This will also create enduring institutions which will last a hundred years and provide affordable and world class service. Tata Trusts, with their experience in setting up global institutions such as Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and Tata Memorial Hospital, will play an important role in making these institutions come to life.”

Tata Trusts in its official statement, said, “We see many patients leave Andhra to access cancer specific healthcare and we hope that this partnership will lead to the establishment of centres of excellence in cancer care very soon. We are committed to supporting the government of Andhra Pradesh in its vision. Tata Trusts are privileged to partner with the health department on their other projects.”