Telangana has officially declared cancer a notifiable disease across the state to strengthen surveillance of non-communicable diseases. The move makes it mandatory for all healthcare facilities, including government and private hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and clinics, to report diagnosed cancer cases within one month. The objective is to build a centralised cancer registry, improve disease estimation and support evidence-based public health planning.
Mandatory Reporting System
All medical institutions in Telangana must now notify cancer cases through a dedicated state portal. Digital login credentials will be provided to hospitals, laboratories and clinics for reporting. The reporting requirement covers newly diagnosed cases and is intended to ensure uniform data collection across the state.
Purpose of the Registry
The state aims to create a reliable database to measure the incidence and prevalence of cancer more accurately. Such a registry can help identify disease patterns, assess regional burden and support targeted interventions. It is also expected to improve planning for screening, treatment, palliative care and rehabilitation services.
Centre of Excellence and Data Validation
The Mehdi Nawaz Jung Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre in Hyderabad has been designated as the Centre of Excellence. It will validate the reported data and coordinate with the National Cancer Registry. This arrangement is meant to improve data quality and align state-level reporting with national cancer surveillance efforts.
Confidentiality and Public Health Significance
The government has stated that all patient information collected through the reporting system will remain strictly confidential. The notification of cancer as a disease is for public health because it strengthens monitoring of one of the major non-communicable diseases in India and supports better allocation of healthcare resources.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026