On its 7th Foundation Day, National Cancer Institute, a comprehensive cancer-care centre in central India, dedicated its newly built 135 bedded in-patient facility in service of cancer patients. The dedication of the new facility was held on 17th August, 2019 at hands of chief guest Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee, Principal Secretary, Department of Medical Education and Drugs, Government of Maharashtra and in the august presence of Dr. Asha Kapadia, Head, Oncology Department, P D Hinduja National Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai.
Shailesh Joglekar, General Secretary, Dr. Aabaji Thatte Seva Aur Anusandhan Sanstha which runs the cancer care centre in Nagpur informed that with the addition of this newly built in-patient facility, the total bed strength of National Cancer Institute would now be 225 beds. The pictorial journey of National Cancer Institute beautifully presented every milestone that National Cancer Institute has crossed since its inception in 2012.
Dr. Anand Pathak, Medical Director, in his detailed presentation shed light upon the clinical activities at National Cancer Institute. He mentioned that due to the huge load of the cancer patients coming for treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, the management had to speed up the addition of 135 beds, making National Cancer Institute one of the largest comprehensive cancer care centres in central India. This would indeed enable National Cancer Institute stand true to its promise and provide affordable and best cancer-care to more number of patients. Adv. Sunil Manohar, President, Dr Aabaji Thatte Seva aur Anusandhan Sanstha, also addressed the gathering.
Dedicating this new in-patient facility to the cancer patients has thus enabled National Cancer Institute to strengthen its fight towards freedom from fear of cancer. Chief Guest, Dr. Sanjay Mukherjee very optimistically stated, “Even if we have not conquered cancer as yet, we can optimistically say that we have now acquired substantial control over cancer disease. Institutions like National Cancer Institute have instilled hope among people with cancer to fight it and strive to get back to normal.”
On this occasion, Dr. Asha Kapadia appreciated the efforts of National Cancer Institute in the field of health care and as a woman oncologist practicing since last 45 years, Dr. Kapadia urged women medical professionals to specialize in oncology. She further explained that women are inherent nurturers and cancer patients require that kind of intricate understanding and care-giving.
The specialized oncology courses for nurses and doctors namely Post Basic Diploma in Oncology Nursing (PBDON) and Post Graduate Diploma in Oncology Care (PGDOC) which are run at NCI every year were concluded and the students were awarded the diploma by the hands of the dignitaries present at the occasion.
The function was attended by a number of personalities from the medical field - Dr Sajal Mitra, Dean – GMC, Dr Kevaliya, Dean – IGGMC, Dr Sanjay Jaiswal, Deputy Director – Health Services, Maj Gen (Dr) Vibha Dutta, SM – Director, AIIMS. Shri Milind Kukde, Chairman – Maharshi Karve Stree Shikshan Sanstha Nagpur Prakalp and Shri Anand Aurangabadkar, Treasurer - Dr Aabaji Thatte Seva aur Anusandhan Sanstha, were prominently present.