Cancer cases are increasing rapidly in the Telugu states and across India due to lifestyle changes and pollution. Many patients are waiting for a breakthrough that can make treatment more effective and affordable.
Cancer treatment often drains families financially. It remains out of reach for many, even in the middle class. But there’s finally some hope for patients and their loved ones.
The Central government is planning to make cancer treatment affordable by setting up a dedicated nuclear reactor in Visakhapatnam. The Department of Atomic Energy will build it to produce medical isotopes used in cancer diagnosis and therapy.
A senior official from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre said the project will strengthen India’s self-reliance in radioisotopes. The reactor will operate under a public private partnership model and focus only on medical isotope production.
The project will take around four to five years to complete. Once ready, it will meet all domestic requirements and enable exports. The design and construction will be handled by NPCIL and BARC, while NPCIL will manage operations with support from private partners.
