A radiotherapy facility will be set up at Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center (HBCHRC), Muzaffarpur
Alkem Laboratories has agreed to partner with Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) to establish an advanced radiotherapy facility as a part of the Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Center (HBCHRC), Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
As part of Alkem’s CSR activity, Alkem has sanctioned the purchase of the two most advanced versions of the teletherapy and brachytherapy units for this facility. The facility is being developed as a spoke model shall also provide chemotherapy, minor operation, basic laboratory, treatment planning, etc.
Alkem and TMC have collaborated to also establish three mini cancer units in the following cities of Bihar namely Buxar, Jehanabad and Bhagalpur. These centres will connect cancer patients of those districts by telemedicine to HBCHRC, Muzaffarpur. In addition, these centres will work with the district administration on community activities such as cancer awareness and screening.
In Bihar, there are only half a dozen fully active radiotherapy centres to cater to the population of 104 million and all of them are located in the urban area of Patna.
Commenting on the initiative, Basudeo N Singh, Executive Chairman, Alkem Laboratories said, “Through our corporate social responsibility endeavours, we aim to promote social and economic benefits for the financially vulnerable sections of the society and bring about a transformative change. I am happy that our collaboration with TMC to establish an advanced radiotherapy facility and mini cancer units will help the people of Bihar and the adjoining states to better manage their cancer care treatment at an affordable cost.”
Commenting on the initiative, Sandeep Singh, MD, Alkem Laboratories said, “A majority of the cancer care hospitals and centres in India are located in the urban areas, making them less accessible and affordable to the vast majority of our population that resides in the villages and rural areas. Through our initiative in collaboration with TMC, we have tried to address this issue. I hope it will make cancer care treatment more accessible for them, who otherwise would have to travel long distance.”
Dr RA Badwe, Director, TMC said, “The mission of Tata Memorial Centre, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India is to offer affordable and accessible cancer care to one and all in India. The cancer centre in Muzaffarpur is the newest addition to our hospitals in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Sangrur, New Chandigarh, Guwahati and Visakhapatnam. This hospital will bring relief to people of Bihar who have to travel long distances and make huge out of pocket expenses for cancer treatment. The addition of a radiotherapy block with the support of Alkem will help us enhance our capability to treat a larger number of patients with a short waiting time.”
