Odisha signs MoUs for two state-of-the-art cancer care centres

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government today signed two MoUs for establishment of two state-of-the-art cancer care centres in Bhubaneswar in presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the convention centre of Lokaseva Bhavan this evening.

The first MoU was signed for Bagchi-Sri Shankar Cancer Centre & Research Institute by the State Government, Susmita Bagchi and Shri Shankar Cancer Foundation. The Centre will provide a global standard cancer treatment facilities to the people in Odisha and from the eastern region of the country.

The second MoU was inked for Bagchi-Karunashraya Palliative Care Centre by the the State Government, Susmita Bagchi and Karunashraya Hospice Trust.

The Centre will provide high quality palliative care, peace and dignity to patients in their last few days.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister described the occasion as a historic moment in the health care development of our State.

He congratulated Susmita Bagchi and Subroto Bagchi for their generous contribution of Rs 340 crore towards the establishment of one of the largest oncology centres in the country.

The Chief Minister hoped that this act of Bagchi couple will inspire many more to experience the joy of giving.

Underlining the significance of service to society, the Chief Minister, quoting Rabindranath Tagore, said, “I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.”

The CM thanked Sri Shankara Cancer Hospital and Research Institute for partnering the establishment of a 500-bed cancer care and research centre and Bangalore Hospice Trust for the Palliative Care centre.

Assuring his support to the initiative, he said that our government will extend all support to make these centres operational by January 2024.

The CM expressed his gratefulness to the Bagchi couple for volunteering in the transformation of our State through ‘Mo School’ and the Skill Mission.

“Their compassion and commitment is further reflected in their generous contribution towards the establishment of these two health institutions,” he added.

The CM said that thousands of cancer patients and their families will benefit every year.

Founder and Managing Trustee of Sri Shankar Cancer Hospital & Research Centre Dr Srinath BS expressed his gratefulness to the Chief Minister and the Bagchi couple for inviting him to Odisha for serving people.

Saying that cancer treatment is highly tech intensive, he spoke on the need to provide equal care to people from all social background.

He also spoke on the need for going to community to identify people at risk, and take preventive steps to control the disease, and change the lifestyle of people for happier, healthier society.

Founder and Chairman of Karunashray Shri Kishore S. Rao said that the poor suffer more in case of cancer as they are helpless from all sides.

He said that emotional and psychological needs of dying patients must be taken care of.

He said that apart from the medical care, 60 percent of care at his Centre is emotional care.

Susmita Bagchi said that it’s a deeply emotional moment both for her and Subroto Bagchi. She thanked the Chief Minister for providing the opportunity to give back to their home state by giving the responsibility of Skill Development and Mo School.

Susmita Bagchi is currently the Chairperson of Mo School Abhijan.

Among others Chief Adviser CMO Shri R Balkrishnan, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary PK Mohapatra, Secretary to CM 5T V. K. Pandian, senior officers, members of Shakar foundation and Karunashraya were present.