Jaganmohan Reddy interacted with the friends and family members of the cancer patient, Neeraj, a 15-year-old boy suffering from leukemia. (Photo: Ashish Pandey)

Newly elected Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy reached out to a cancer patient during his visit to Sarada Peetham in Vishakapatnman on Tuesday.

While returning to the airport from his visit to Sarada Peetham, YS Jaganmohan Reddy noticed a few youngsters standing with placards, seeking help from the CM to treat their friend who is suffering from cancer.

On seeing them, Jaganmohan Reddy stopped his convoy, got down from the vehicle and approached the people holding the placard. He then interacted with the friends and family members of the cancer patient, Neeraj, a 15-year-old boy suffering from leukemia.

Friends and family members of Neeraj, who was admitted at Basavatarakam Indo-American Cancer Hospital and Research Institute in Hyderabad, said they were unable to afford his treatment. Neeraj's treatment would cost nearly Rs 25 lakh and they have been able to collect only Rs 40,000 so far.

Jaganmohan Reddy assured Neeraj's family that the state government would grant Rs 20 lakh for his treatment. He asked the local district collector to provide all possible help to the family and directed the officer to arrange the amount for Neeraj's treatment.

Neeraj's father K Appala Naidu is a daily wage labour and his mother Devi sells vegetables.