Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute (BIACH&RI) is a premier

non-profit A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

, tertiary care cancer hospital and research center located in

Hyderabad Hyderabad is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Telangana. It occupies on the Deccan Plateau along the banks of the Musi River (India), Musi River, in the northern part of Southern India. With an average altitude of , much ...

, India. It was founded in 1986 by Indian

matinée idol Matinée idol is a term used mainly to describe film or theatre stars who are adored to the point of adulation by their fans. The term almost exclusively refers to adult male actors. Matinée idols often tend to play romantic and dramatic ...

and politician Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao, in memory of his wife, Nandamuri Basavatarakam, who succumbed to

cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving Cell growth#Disorders, abnormal cell growth with the potential to Invasion (cancer), invade or Metastasis, spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Po ...

. The hospital was established under the Nandamuri Basavataraka Ramarao Memorial Cancer Foundation (NBTRCF), in collaboration with the Indo-American Cancer Organisation (IACO),

USA The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous ...

. BIACH&RI offers comprehensive

oncology Oncology is a branch of medicine that deals with the study, treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of cancer. A medical professional who practices oncology is an ''oncologist''. The name's Etymology, etymological origin is the Greek word ὄγ ...

services, including medical, surgical, radiation, and paediatric oncology, It also functions as a research and training institute, conducting clinical studies and providing oncology training to medical professionals, including national and international collaborations. The hospital has established itself as a leading centre for cancer treatment in India, consistently ranked among the top cancer hospitals in the country. In 2023, it was ranked second best cancer hospital in India.

History

BIACH&RI was founded by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Indian matinee idol Nandamuri Taraka Rama Rao in memory of his wife, Nandamuri Basavatarakam, who passed away due to

. Deeply moved by her experience and the lack of affordable and accessible cancer treatment in India at the time, N. T. Rama Rao envisioned a world-class facility that would serve people from all walks of life, regardless of their financial status. The foundation stone for the hospital was laid in 1986, and following years of planning, international collaboration, and support from Indian and overseas oncologists, the hospital was inaugurated on June 22, 2000, by then Prime Minister of India

Atal Bihari Vajpayee Atal Bihari Vajpayee (25 December 1924 – 16 August 2018) was an Indian poet, writer and statesman who served as the prime minister of India, first for a term of 13 days in 1996, then for a period of 13 months from 1998 ...

. It was established under the NBTRCF with active support from the Indo-American Cancer Organisation (IACO), USA, and has since grown into one of India’s premier cancer hospitals.

Leadership and Expansion

As of 2025, the Chairman of Basavatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital & Research Institute is

Nandamuri Balakrishna Nandamuri Balakrishna (born 10 June 1960), also known as Balayya or NBK, is an Indian actor, film producer, politician and philanthropist known for his works in Telugu cinema. Balakrishna is an elected member of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative A ...

, renowned actor, politician, and the son of the hospital’s founder, N. T. Rama Rao. He is currently heading the Board of Trustees and has played a pivotal role in guiding the institution's vision and growth. Under his leadership, the hospital has significantly expanded its infrastructure, services, and outreach, while remaining committed to affordable and accessible cancer care.. To further its mission, BIACH&RI is developing a world-class oncology and research center in Amaravati, the capital of Andhra Pradesh. Spread across 15 acres, the upcoming facility is planned as a cutting-edge center for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. It also functions as a research and training institute, conducting clinical studies and providing oncology training to medical professionals, including national and international collaborations.

Donations

The hospital is run as a not-for-profit institution and relies on donations from individuals, charitable organizations, and corporate donors from across the world. BIACH&RI continues to foster partnerships with Indian and international oncologists, researchers, and philanthropists to further its commitment to world-class cancer care. CriticalRiver, a global provider of digital and technology consulting services, has announced a partnership with Basvatarakam Indo American Cancer Hospital to combat cancer and promote early detection among women in India's rural areas.

References

{{coord missing, India Hospitals in India