BHUBANESWAR: The government of Odisha  has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai to set up a 200-bed, state-of-the-art cancer hospital at the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) campus, Jatni in Khurda district.

In the presence of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Director of the Tata Memorial Centre Rajendra Badwi and Special Secretary for Public Health of Odisha Ajit Kumar Mohanty signed the Memorandum of Understanding. Chief Minister Patnaik expressed delight over the proposed cancer hospital and claimed that it would be very beneficial to both the people of Odisha and all of eastern India. 

According to the Tata Center Director's recommendation, the state government would supply a cyclotron machine to suit the needs for radioisotopes for therapy. The chief minister said, this institution will serve as a superb illustration of how private, state, federal, and research institutions may work together for the benefit of the populace.
The Department of Atomic Energy would create the 200-bed hospital and manage it through the Mumbai-based Tata Memorial Centre at an estimated cost of Rs 650 crore. According to officials, Tata Trusts would invest Rs 250 crore on this initiative, while the Department of Atomic Energy has allocated Rs 400 crore for it. The Center will conduct a population-based register to determine the scope of the issue.

The state government now donates 17 acres to NISER and will donate an additional 40 acres for the extension of the cancer centre, the construction of a 30 MeV cyclotron, staff housing, township and academic buildings, rest areas for patient attendants, and a "Dharamsala."

The proposed hospital will offer all types of advanced cancer treatment, including surgical oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, radiology, pathology, microbiology, biochemistry, preventive oncology, palliative medicine, nuclear medicine, etc. Also, it will work with the state government to strengthen the capacities and skills of Odisha's medical professionals.

The Tata Memorial Centre will also link this cancer hospital with its National Cancer Grid and offer technical assistance to develop the cancer care wings in the Mayurbhanj and Ganjam districts.

The Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana will appoint the hospital as an affiliate (BSKY). According to the official, the state government would also set up an Ahaar Kendra on the hospital's campus.

Every year in Odisha, about 40,000 new cases of cancer are discovered, and 18,000 cancer-related fatalities are recorded.