CM Naveen Patnaik Inaugurates Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Odisha

The development of this cancer centre boosts cancer treatment and research in Odisha. It eliminates the need for cancer patients to travel to major metropolitan centres such as Mumbai, relieving them of financial burdens and emotional stress.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik laid the foundation stone for the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (HBHRC) and declared that Odisha will have a world-class cancer care, research, and innovation centre by December 2025.

This facility, located at the NISER campus in Jatani, will be a 200-bed cancer hospital.

The HBHRC is expected to boost cancer treatment and research in Odisha substantially. Patients will no longer need to travel to cities like Mumbai or other major metropolitan areas for cancer treatment, alleviating financial and emotional distress.

Chief Minister Patnaik reaffirmed that healthcare is a top priority for the Odisha government, with an investment of over INR 225 Cr each month to cover the medical expenses of approximately 1.25 Lakh people.

"We are strengthening our health infrastructure, prioritising health education, and making regular recruitments of doctors. New medical colleges are coming up every year, creating a huge pool of trained doctors. Our flagship Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana is providing free healthcare to over 94 lakh families in top healthcare institutions across the country," he added.

The HBHRC will house Asia's most advanced research-level cyclotron and will be part of the scheme offering free healthcare to Odisha residents. In addition to benefiting Odisha residents, the hospital will also serve cancer patients from neighbouring states such as Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh.

Chief Minister Patnaik thanked the Department of Atomic Energy, NISER, Tata Steel Foundation, and Tata Memorial Centre for their support in establishing this facility.

The HBHRC will feature the latest cancer treatment technology, including radiation therapy, advanced surgery, chemotherapy, targeted therapies, and stem cell transplants. It will serve as a hub for cancer research, fostering innovation and advancements in cancer treatment and prevention.

Odisha had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Memorial Center, Mumbai, in September 2022 to establish the hospital. Tata Steel Foundation will construct the hospital at an estimated cost of INR 250 Cr and donate it to the Tata Memorial Centre under the Department of Atomic Energy for operation.

The Department of Atomic Energy has allocated INR 400 Cr for equipment purchase, construction of the residential complex, and recruitment of human resources. This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward improving cancer care and research in the region.

In a similar development, Kalyan Singh Super Specialty Cancer Institute (KSSSCI), a distinguished institution operating under the Government of Uttar Pradesh, recently embarked on a trilateral collaboration with Karkinos Healthcare and the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur).

This tripartite partnership culminated in the establishment of the '˜Centre for Advanced Molecular Diagnostics and Research for Cancer (CAMDRC)' in the city of Lucknow. Nestled within the premises of KSSSCI, the CAMDRC Lab will feature state-of-the-art Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) machines for high-throughput testing housed in a spacious area spanning 25,000 sq ft.

The Odisha government has provided over 65 acres of land and financial assistance of INR 150 Cr for the medical cyclotron facility. The government will also develop wide access roads, provide direct transport support, create top-class bus stops, and establish a dedicated fire station near the proposed hospital. Additionally, an affordable meal centre (Aahar Kendra) will be set up on the hospital premises.