Last week when a group of committed individuals gathered at the house of Mohan and Shama Nanapaneni, it was to support the cause of the Indo American Cancer Institute and research Center at Hyderabad, India. Dr Kodela Siva Prasad Rao who is the Chairman of this Institute was present on the occasion to personally greet the guests and espouse its cause. This is the third anniversary of this hospital and on 31st August, the Institute is holding its sixth Annual Fund raising dinner at Indianapolis, Indiana with a focus on “Taking Health care to the rural community”.

About 85 people from the New England community were present.Those who made a generous contribution to the Institute included hosts Mohan and Shama Nanapaneni, Arjun Rao and Geeta, Hari Babu Muddana, Ranjan Vadlapatla, Dr Venkat Reddy, Ammani Dasari and TAGB. The Indo-American Cancer Institute & Research Center was set up in June 2000 at Hyderabad with the primary objective of providing cost-effective treatment with sophisticated equipment and diagnostic facilities under one roof. The institute is promoted by Smt. Nandamuri Basava Taraka Rama Rao Memorial Cancer Foundation & Indo American Cancer foundation with Dr Tulasi D. Polavararapu as its President in New York.

The institute, a non-profit organization, offers total care and treatment on par with world standards of excellence to all the patients at affordable cost. The institute is equipped with the latest CT scan equipment, intensive and medical intensive care units, six operation theatres, mammography for breast cancer, etc. It has some of the first of its kind equipment in Andhra Pradesh.

Dr. Siva Prasada Rao said the institute had completed three years of existence during which it treated over 12,000 cancer patients and screened 8,500 individuals at the free cancer screening program.

I had an opportunity to ask Dr. Kodela Siva Prasada Rao a few questions?

Could you tell us the purpose of your visit here?

This is my second visit to Boston and my fourth to the United States. At this time, I have come for fundraising of the Cancer Institute in Hyderabad. The idea was mooted by the late NTR in memory of his wife. It took 12 years to bring it to fruition and 8 acres of land in the Prime Jubilee Hills was donated for this purpose. The inauguration took place in the year 2000.

What is the involvement of the NRI’s here in this effort?

I am very happy to say that the NRI’s in the US have taken an active interest in this trust and the Indo American Cancer organization is headed by chairperson Dr Tulasi Polavarapu. Generally, help is sought in India from the NRI’s and soon forgotten but here it is an active ongoing support. Many of them visit Hyderabad and come and see the Insitute and its facilities. We are very grateful of the NRI’s. They help in so many ways – through sharing their expertise, technology and making investments. Sometimes your presence alone e in India is enough to inspire others there. How you can help is left to your choice.

What is so special about this hospital?

It is probably the only Cancer Hospital in South India offering various specialty services in this discipline. More than 300 patients are seen and treated each day. The doctors are highly qualified and experienced and it is equipped with State of the Art Technology. We are trying our best to bring it to International standards. Besides doctors, we offer counseling for patients with depression from this disease and the aspect of human touch is of high value here. It is also affordable and 30 % less than other private institutions and sometimes special concessions are given for really poor patients. Our Ultimate aim is to generate revenue, maintain the hospital, and develop it.

AP has gained a name for its reform-oriented policies. What have been the achievements of your Ministry?

Our goal eventually is Swarna Andhra (Golden Andhra) and our Vision 2020 aims at that. We are hopeful that we can achieve this much before that. We are defining politics in a different way. The people have placed their trust in us and we will work hard to keep it. Power comes as a byproduct of this hard work. When we say we promise what we do, we do what we promise. Our achievements have been geared towards universal immunizations, improving Sanitation and Hygiene, Slum development, population control etc. The annual population growth rate in AP has been 1.3 % compared to the national average of 2.3 %. Literacy rate has shot up from 46%, three years ago to 72% now. We hope to make it 90% by 2005.

A report on the Sixth Annual fund rasing Dinner held on 31st August at Indiana

Indo-American Cancer Organization had its sixth Annual fund rising dinner at Westin Hotel, Indianapolis, Indiana, on Sunday 31st, August, 2003. Chief Guest was Hon’ble Health Minister of A.P. Dr, Kodela Sivaprasada Rao ( came for this event specially from India). Around 300 NRI supporters, Donors and delegates from all over the country participated in this event. he raised more than three Crore rupees to help Indo American Cancer Institute and Smt. Nandamuri Basava Taraka Ramarao Memorial Trust.

Dr. Kodela made a visual presentation of the hospital. In his keynote speech Dr. Kodela, said though they had faced many problems, the institution from its inception has come along with great progress and become one of the best cancer hospitals in entire India ( the total project exceeded 70 crore rupees including more than 30 crore rupees of infrastructure and equipment). Some of the equipment it has is the most sophisticated.

He thanked every NRI that has shown great generosity for this noble cause. He thanked major donors from India, Mr. GVK Reddy, Mr. Pulla Reddy, Mr. B. Krishnaiah and many more for their continued support also the Chief Minister of AP, the Government of India and the Government of AP. He explained the Government policies to help the NRI projects and Janmabhoomi program. He also explained the progress of the hospital and additions to the existing facilities like Athidhi, the newly constructed building for in patients.

Dr. Kodela pleaded to all Telugu people to continue their support and contributions to the mother land. He also suggested that organizations like TANA and ATA should work united in the developmental projects in their motherland. He praised every NRI for helping their family, relatives, friends and other charitable causes despite the hardship initially in this country. He also suggested that every Indian should emulate the Jewish community and remain United.

Event was sponsored by Dr. Chandra Reddy, Hope cancer Center, Indiana, Dr. Mallareddy Pilla, Newyork, Dr. Sudhakar Reddy, Michigan, Dr. Praveen Kollipara, Indiana.

This event raised US Dollars $230,000 (Rs.1054550), Rotary International Match $230,000 (Rs.1054550), Indian Rotary Match $230,000 (Rs.1054550). Total will be $690,000 (Rs. 3,16,36500) to add more sophisticated equipment and support the Cancer Institute in Hyderabad.

The Health Minister also visited Hope Cancer Center that is run by Dr. Chandra Reddy of Terra Haute, Indiana. (www.hopecancercenter.com).

Main Donors above $10,000 are:

• Mallareddy and Sadhana Reddy Pilla, NY

• Chandra Reddy and Padma Gavva, IN

• Prasad Podila, NM

• Krishna Prasad and Vasthala Katragadda, MI

• Nandakumar Salem, MI

• Usha and Poornchandra Reddy Armella, NY

• Surender Gorrapati, MI

• Praveen Kollipara, IN

• Mahender Reddy, NY

Other dignitaries include:

• Dr. Tulasi D Polavarapu, President, IACO,
• Dr. Subhadra Nori, Secretary, IACO ,
• Dr. Mallareddy Pilla ,
• Dr. Mani Akkineni ,
• Dr. Dattatreyudu Nori ,
• Dr. V Rao Emandi ,
• Dr. Chandra Reddy ,
,
Sri. K. Krishnam Raju Secretary, Smt. Nandamuri Basava Taraka Rama Rao Memorial Cancer Foundation, Hyderabad presented the annual report and financial aspects of the institution. As per Mr. Krishnam Raju’s report the institution has spent more than 30 Crore rupees for the infrastructure and equipment in the last few years. The total project exceeded 70 crores. ,

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