Written by : Dr. Aishwarya Sarthe
November 7, 2023
As part of the MoU, Guwahati Refinery has pledged substantial financial support of INR 16.39 Cr to acquire specialised medical equipment.
In a significant development for healthcare in the northeast region of India, Guwahati Refinery and the Tata Cancer Care Foundation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the procurement of essential medical equipment for the Silchar Cancer Centre in Assam.
This collaboration aims at improving access to cancer treatment facilities for the community.
As part of the MoU, Guwahati Refinery has pledged substantial financial support of INR 16.39 Cr to acquire specialised medical equipment.
This equipment includes a LINAC, which is used for external beam radiation therapy, a treatment planning system, and a computer-based software system utilised in radiation oncology, dosimetry, and immobilisation devices.
G K Goyari, chief general manager and refinery head of Guwahati Refinery, expressed his satisfaction in being part of this initiative. He said, “This support will play a pivotal role in ensuring that cancer patients in the northeast region have access to affordable and effective treatment.”
The Silchar Cancer Centre, situated within the Silchar Medical College and Hospital campus, serves not only the people of Assam but also patients from Tripura, Mizoram, and parts of Meghalaya.
In similar news, several other healthcare initiatives have been undertaken to enhance healthcare services. In May, the Tata Trusts opened the Cancer Hospital & Research Centre in Ranchi, furthering their commitment to cancer care. The hospital, operated under the Tata Cancer Care Foundation, is set to provide quality healthcare services.
Additionally, in September, the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) allocated INR 204 Cr to acquire essential medical equipment for the Cochin Cancer Research Centre (CCRC). This step is aimed at improving healthcare services and providing advanced medical equipment to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer.
Meanwhile, Tenet Medcorp, operating as Tenet Diagnostics, has plans to invest INR 100 Cr to expand its presence in Karnataka. The expansion aims to make advanced diagnostic services, laboratory facilities, and preventive healthcare more accessible to the people in the region.
For this purpose, Tenet Diagnostics intends to double the number of centres in Karnataka from 5 to 15 by 2025. Notably, this expansion includes the opening of two additional centres in Mysore and Mangalore by the end of 2023.