The Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh was established as a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre (Mumbai) under the aegis of the Department of Atomic Energy (Government of india) with a vision to provide comprehensive, multi-disciplinary, evidence-based, and affordable cancer care.

Dr. Raghunadharao and Dr. Leela made it a comprehensive center in every sense, with their sweat and toil. The Gynecologic and Preventive Oncology Department was amongst the first few departments started at HBCH & RC in Visakhapatnam.

In order to offer clinical services, from its inception, to the people of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand, funds were needed and Digumarti Foundation lent monetary support. Relying on Dr. Raghunadharao’s extensive networking and relentless efforts, the foundation received donations from friends and relatives, given in memory of their kith and kin and for birthdays and anniversaries.

Over a period of time, the couple raised ₹ 6 crores through the foundation and built a series of sheds for housing the hospital-waiting halls, offices, cancer registry, outpatient clinics, a canteen, an auditorium, staff rooms, labs and a full fledged day care and a chemotherapy unit.

It also supported a hospice and home care team. Soon, they started providing meals and snacks to patients and families at the institute.