Unify to Notify Campaign Calls for Cancer to Be a Notifiable Disease

Visakhapatnam, 5th February 2025: Apollo Cancer Centres, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Indian Medical Association (IMA), and State Oncology Associations, launches a nationwide campaign–Unify to Notify–on World Cancer Day. The campaign urges the Government of India to classify cancer as a notifiable disease, a much-needed critical step for combating the menace of the disease.

Chief Guest Dr I Vani, President, IMA; and Guest of Honor Dr Murali Mohan, Secretary, IMA; inaugurated the nationwide campaign ‘Unify to Notify’ on World Cancer Day on 4th February, being hosted by Apollo Cancer Centres in collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR); Indian Medical Association (IMA) & State Oncology Associations, at Apollo Cancer Centres, Apollo Health City Arilova, Visakhapatnam. Also Dr Rakesh Reddy Boya, Senior Medical and Hemato Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, Visakhapatnam; Dr Jayasree, Radiation Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, Visakhapatnam; Dr Ventrapati Pradeep, Medical Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, Visakhapatnam; Dr V.Balakrishna, Medical Superintendent, Apollo Hospitals, Visakhapatnam; Dr Suman Das, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, Visakhapatnam; Dr Aditya Narayan, Senior Radiation Oncologist, Apollo Cancer Centres, Visakhapatnam; Dr Brahmaji Naidu, Unit Head, Apollo Cancer Centres, Visakhapatnam; graced the occasion.

India currently reports over 14 lakhs new cancer cases annually, with the number expected to rise to 15.7 lakhs by 2025. Designating cancer as a notifiable disease will:

  1. Ensure real-time data collection and accurate reporting, thereby establishing a clearer picture of the disease’s scale.
  2. Develop standardized treatment protocols through epidemiological analysis and targeted intervention strategies.
  3. Will enhance, accuracy, efficiency and accessibility in cancer treatment ultimately strengthening India’s role in global oncology research and care

In 2022, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare submitted a report to the Rajya Sabha recommending cancer be classified as a notifiable disease. Through this initiative, the industry experts are hoping that the Government of India take the next logical move which is to pass this Bill in both the Upper and Lower Houses in the upcoming budget session.

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