In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Dr Mohan Bhagwat inaugurated the Pt Deendayal Chandrapur Cancer Hospital on Monday. The 144-bed, state-of-the-art facility, constructed at an estimated cost of around ₹280 crore, promises to bring advanced oncology treatment closer to home for thousands of patients, reducing their reliance on distant metropolitan hubs.
A Vision for Accessible and Affordable Cancer Care
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration, Dr Bhagwat underscored that health and education constitute the most fundamental pillars of a strong society. He emphasised that quality healthcare must not be a privilege but a right, accessible and affordable to all sections of the population. The RSS chief poignantly highlighted the multi-dimensional agony caused by cancer, noting it inflicts not just physical pain but also severe emotional, financial, and social stress on patients and their families.
He specifically pointed to the immense hardship faced by patients from Chandrapur and surrounding areas who, until now, were forced to undertake repeated, exhausting journeys to cities like Nagpur or Mumbai for specialised treatment. "This new hospital will significantly cut down travel expenses, reduce the overall cost of treatment, and alleviate the associated mental strain," Dr Bhagwat stated. He praised the vision of establishing advanced regional medical centres as both a practical and far-sighted approach to democratising healthcare.
Success Hinges on Community Participation
Dr Bhagwat made a compelling case for collective social responsibility in the fight against cancer. He asserted that the hospital's success would depend not solely on medical expertise and advanced equipment but critically on sustained community participation and support. Caring for cancer patients, he said, is a duty that extends beyond the hospital walls and is a shared obligation of the wider society.
He expressed his hope that the institution would set new benchmarks in the medical field not just through clinical excellence, but through compassion, sensitivity, and a strong spirit of service. This ethos, he believes, will be central to its mission.
A Historic Moment and a Pillar of Hope
Calling the dedication of the hospital a historic moment for Chandrapur and the entire Vidarbha region, MLA Sudhir Mungantiwar revealed that the project was the culmination of consistent efforts and planning dating back to 2016. He described the ultra-modern facility as a vital pillar of hope for countless cancer patients, offering them cutting-edge care within their reach.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several dignitaries and officials, including Dr Kailas Sharma, director of the Chandrapur Cancer Care Foundation, District Collector Vinay Gowda, Superintendent of Police Sudarshan Mumakka, and numerous senior medical professionals. Their presence underscored the broad-based institutional support for this major healthcare initiative aimed at transforming cancer care in eastern Maharashtra.
