‘Advanced cancer care should be available closer to home’: CM Vishnu Deo Sai
Nearly 100 cancer cases estimated every day in Chhattisgarh; new institute brings advanced technology, multidisciplinary expertise and integrated cancer care closer to patients
In a significant boost to cancer care infrastructure in Chhattisgarh, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai today inaugurated the CARE Cancer Institute at Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals, Raipur, marking an important step towards expanding access to comprehensive and advanced cancer treatment in the state.
The institute was inaugurated in the presence of Raman Singh, Hon’ble Speaker and Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh;Dr Charan Das Mahant, Leader of Opposition – Legislative Assembly, Chhattisgarh; Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, Government of Chhattisgarh; Dr Sandeep Dave, Medical & Managing Director, Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals and Dr Pawan Kumar, Chief Executive Officer – India II, Aster DM Quality Care Limited, Mahadevan Narayanamoni, Director, Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals; Prof. Dr.Somashekhar S P, Group Medical Director; Harish Trivedi, Regional CEO; Shalabh Dang, President – Sales & Marketing, Aster DM Quality Care Limitedalong with senior doctors, hospital leadership, healthcare professionals and other dignitaries.
The launch comes at a time when Chhattisgarh is witnessing a growing cancer burden, with nearly 100 new cancer cases estimated every day in hestate. Chhattisgarh was estimated to record around 31,553 cancer cases in 2025, compared with 30,763 cases in 2024. The numbers underline the need to strengthen cancer screening, early diagnosis and access to specialised treatment within the state.
Many patients from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions currently travel long distances to metropolitan cities for specialised cancer treatment, often requiring repeated visits over several months. Apart from delaying access to care in some cases, this can add to the physical, emotional and financial burden on patients and their families.
The CARE Cancer Institute brings together a distinguished team of cancer specialists across Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, supported by the wider clinical infrastructure of Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals.
This integrated approach will enable patients to access diagnosis, treatment planning, surgery, systemic therapy, radiation therapy, critical care, supportive care and palliative services through a coordinated cancer-care pathway.
The institute has dedicated day care chemotherapy beds, a Versa HD Linear Accelerator machine for precise radiation, an AI enabled PET CT machine for accurate diagnosis, dedicated Bone Marrow Transplant suites and a Tumour board room which is ably supported by aesthetic layouts keeping in mind the recovery of cancer patients.
This is designed to ensure that patients receive coordinated and individualised care through different stages of their treatment.
For patients from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring regions, the institute is expected to reduce the need to travel repeatedly to metropolitan cities for specialised cancer treatment, a journey that can add significant physical, emotional and financial burden to patients and their families.
A key strength of the new Cancer Institute is that it is backed by 36 years of Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals’ healthcare legacy in Chhattisgarh.Over more than three decades, Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals has grown into a leading tertiary-care institution, serving patients from across Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states. Its clinical experience, specialist expertise and comprehensive hospital infrastructure provide a strong foundation for the new Cancer Institute.
The institute will also have access to the hospital’s broader medical and surgical capabilities, enabling cancer patients with complex health needs to receive multidisciplinary support within the same hospital ecosystem.
Speaking at the inauguration, Chief Minister Shri Vishnu Deo Sai said, “Cancer is a growing health challenge across the country, and Chhattisgarh is also witnessing an increasing burden of the disease. Our government is committed to strengthening healthcare infrastructure, expanding screening and early diagnosis, and ensuring access to quality treatment within the state. Along with the efforts of the State Government, advanced facilities such as the CARE Cancer Institute will further strengthen cancer care in Chhattisgarh by providing specialised diagnosis and treatment closer to people’s homes, reducing the need for patients and their families to travel long distances for care. Such initiatives will help build a stronger cancer-care ecosystem and improve access to quality healthcare for the people of Chhattisgarh.”
Raman Singh, Hon’ble Speaker and Former Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, said, “Chhattisgarh has made significant progress in strengthening its healthcare infrastructure over the years. The addition of advanced cancer-care facilities in Raipur is another important step in that journey. Institutions that bring specialised treatment and modern technology closer to patients will further strengthen the state’s healthcare ecosystem and benefit people across Chhattisgarh.”
Shyam Bihari Jaiswal, Minister of Health, Family Welfare and Medical Education, Government of Chhattisgarh, said, “Early detection and timely treatment are critical in the fight against cancer. Our focus is on strengthening awareness, screening, diagnosis and treatment facilities so that people across Chhattisgarh can access quality cancer care within the state. The CARE Cancer Institute will complement these efforts by adding specialised expertise and advanced treatment capabilities to the cancer-care ecosystem in Chhattisgarh.”
Dr Pawan Kumar, Chief Executive Officer – India II, Aster DM Quality Care Limited, said, “Our focus is to make high-quality specialised healthcare accessible closer to the communities we serve. The CARE Cancer Institute brings together advanced technology, multidisciplinary expertise and an integrated approach to cancer care. Importantly, it is built on Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals’ 36-year legacy of serving Chhattisgarh. We aim to provide patients with seamless care throughout their cancer journey while strengthening Raipur as an important centre for advanced cancer care in Central India.”
Dr Sandeep Dave, Medical & Managing Director, Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals, said, “Cancer outcomes can improve significantly when the disease is detected early and the right treatment begins without delay. With the CARE Cancer Institute, our focus is not only on advanced treatment but also on encouraging screening and early diagnosis across Chhattisgarh. Bringing these services closer to people can help patients seek medical attention earlier and reduce the need to travel long distances for specialised care.”
He added, “The institute brings together specialists from Surgical Oncology, Medical Oncology, Radiation Oncology, Bone Marrow Transplants, Nuclear Medicine and Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, backed by the complete clinical infrastructure of Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals. This multidisciplinary approach will help us provide coordinated and personalised treatment based on the needs of each patient.”
With the launch of the CARE Cancer Institute, Ramkrishna CARE Hospitals aims to strengthen Raipur’s position as one of the bestcentre for comprehensive cancer care in Central India, while expanding access to advanced treatment for patients from Chhattisgarh and neighbouring states.