Pune's Sassoon Hospital to Set Up 400-bed Cancer Hospital Research Centre

Pune: B J Medical College (BJMC) and Sassoon General Hospital (SGH) will establish a state-of-the-art 400-bed Cancer Hospital and Research Centre in Pune, contributing to the development of the city’s healthcare sector. The new facility aims to provide comprehensive, advanced cancer care while also meeting the growing demand for specialized medical education and research in oncology.

Pune, a rapidly expanding city, is currently grappling with an urgent need for a dedicated cancer hospital. Despite its growth, the city lacks a specialized facility for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and research. As a result, patients often have to travel to Mumbai or other cities for treatment, leading to delays and added financial strain. The new cancer hospital will address these challenges by offering early detection, affordable treatment, and advanced cancer care closer to home.

Dr Eknath Pawar, Dean of BJMC and SGH, emphasized the urgent need for a specialized cancer hospital in Pune. He stated that the dedicated cancer hospital would have 400 to 500 beds, along with an attached postgraduate (PG) institute for medical education.

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As per the recent media report in Hindustan Times, Dr Eknath Pawar said, “We have discussed the need for a cancer hospital in Pune with the medical education commissioner and the district collector of Pune. The previous meetings have been productive and both officials have responded positively considering the surge in cancer patients and lack of government cancer hospitals in Pune.”

The cancer hospital project will be funded through a collaborative effort between the central government and the state's medical education department. Dr Pawar stated that 60% of the project's cost will be covered by the central government, while the remaining 40% will be provided by the medical education department. He further emphasized that this financial collaboration aims to ensure the availability of world-class cancer treatment facilities in the city, making advanced care more accessible to patients. Dr Pawar also highlighted that the cancer hospital will include a dedicated rehabilitation and physiotherapy centre, along with a hostel facility for the attendants of the patients.

A five-member committee of experts has been appointed by the medical education department to draft a detailed proposal for the cancer hospital and PG institute. The draft is in its final stage and is set to be submitted to the district collector on December 2. The district collector has already confirmed the allocation of land for this ambitious project.

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SGH currently provides free screening, surgery, and chemotherapy for cancer patients, but the new facility will offer much-needed specialized care for a variety of cancers, all under one roof. The new hospital will serve patients from Pune and surrounding areas, providing specialized care for various types of cancer. In addition to treatment, the attached PG institute will focus on training future oncologists and conducting groundbreaking research in cancer prevention and management.